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Hochschild Mining PLC
Annual Report 2021

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FY2021 Annual Report · Hochschild Mining PLC
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Creating  
sustainable value

Hochschild Mining PLC 
Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic Report
At a glance 

Creating value 

Market review 

Chairman’s statement 

Chief Executive Officer’s review 

Business model 

Our strategy  

Key Performance Indicators 

Operating review 

Financial review 

Stakeholder engagement  

Sustainability report  

Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 

Risk management & viability 

Governance
Board of Directors 

Senior management 

Directors’ Report 

Corporate Governance Report 

Supplementary information  

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Statement of Directors’  
responsibilities 

Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report 

Consolidated income statement  

Consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement of  
financial position 

Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements  

Parent company statement 
of financial position  

Parent company statement of  
cash flows 

Parent company statement 
of changes in equity  

Notes to the parent company 
financial statements 

Further Information
Profit by operation 

Reserves and resources 

Change in attributable 
reserves and resources 

Shareholder information 

2

4

10

14

18

22

24

26

28

36

45

50

64

68

78

80

8 1

83

100

104

124

125

133

133

134

135

136

137

184

185

186

187

197

198

200

201

Creating sustainable  
value means more than 
extracting ounces from 
the ground. 

It’s about creating value for all of our 
stakeholders and core to all of our work 
is building and maintaining strong 
relationships with our communities 
throughout the mining life cycle.

We have always been committed to 
collaborating to generate economic 
benefits and improve community wellbeing, 
and in doing so we hope to enhance our 
mutual understanding of their long-term 
interests and concerns.

Read more about creating value
PAGES 4-9

 1  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther Information 
AT A GLANCE

Who we are and where we operate 
We are a leading underground precious metals company,  
focusing on the exploration, mining, processing and sale  
of gold and silver in the Americas.

5.29

ECO SCORE 
2020: 5.74

1.26

LTIFR 
2020: 1.38

2021 Highlights

$86m

NET CASH/(DEBT)  
2020: ($22m)

$14.4/oz Ag Eq

AISC  
2020: $12.8/oz Ag Eq

$383m

ADJUSTED EBITDA 
2020: $271m

221,419oz

ATTRIB. GOLD PRODUCTION  
2020: 175,241oz

$0.14

ADJUSTED BASIC EPS  
2020: $0.06

12.2m oz

ATTRIB. SILVER PRODUCTION 
2020: 9.8m oz

2.3¢/share

FINAL DIVIDEND 
2020: 2.33

Mining operations
Hochschild operates three underground epithermal 
deposits, two of which are located in the south west 
of Peru in our ‘Southern Peru cluster’ and one in the 
southern Argentinian province of Santa Cruz. 

Gold 
production

Silver 
production

All-in  
sustaining  
costs

165,730 oz

6.2m oz

$971/oz Au Eq

13,045 oz

4.4m oz

$22.8/oz Ag Eq

83,615 oz

12.4m oz

$16.7/oz Ag Eq

Operation

Inmaculada 
Peru
Pallancata 
Peru
San Jose 
Argentina

Project pipeline
Hochschild currently has a number of projects 
in Peru, Canada and Chile. These include an 
Advanced Project, former operations that still 
have strong geological potential through to our 
early-stage opportunities and regional targets 
close to our current mines.

Operation
Posse1 
Brazil
Ares 
Peru
Arcata 
Peru
Selene 
Peru
Azuca 
Peru
Crespo 
Peru
Volcan 
Chile

Category 

Advanced Projects

Former operations

Early-stage

1  Subject to completion of acquisition of Amarillo Gold due for the 

end of Q1 2022.

Greenfield prospects
Hochschild has a portfolio of greenfield prospects 
across the Americas

Country 

Peru

Canada

US

Asset

Condor

Pampamali

Corvinon

Casma

Alto Ruri

Cueva Blanca

Snip

Cooke Mountain

SW Pipe

Currant

Valve House

Timber Butte

Lehman Butte

Speed Goat

Red Rock

Where we operate

11

12

13

7

8

1

5

2

6

10

4

9

3

READ MORE
Operating review  
page 28

Operational sites

Pallancata  
(Peru)

Inmaculada  
(Peru)

San Jose 
(Argentina)

Advanced Project

Posse 
(Brazil)

Exploration projects

Arcata (Peru)

Ares (Peru)

Azuca (Peru)

Crespo (Peru)

Volcan (Chile)

Exploration sites

Condor (Peru)

Snip (Canada)

Cooke Mountain 
(US)

SW Pipe (US)

Others not on map

Currant (US)

Valve House (US)

Timber Butte (US)

Lehman Butte (US)

Speed Goat (US)

Red Rock (US)

 2  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 3  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther InformationCreating value for communities 
and the environment

Our licence to operate is predicated on 
seeing through our social commitments, both 
to local communities and the environment 
in which we operate. 

Highlights

INVESTED IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES 

$5.4m
$16.8m

VALUE OF GOODS AND SERVICES  
PROCURED FROM LOCAL PROVIDERS

53%

REDUCTION IN POTABLE WATER 
CONSUMPTION SINCE 2015

A key foundation 
of our corporate 
purpose is a 
collective sense 
of responsibility.”

Graham Birch,  
Chair of Sustainability 
Committee

  READ MORE

ECO Score: A Hochschild innovation, 
www.hochschildmining.com

Social commitments 

Social engagement strategy 

Hochschild has a long-standing history 
of collaborating with and supporting 
our local communities. Our goal is to 
contribute to building an inclusive and 
resilient society. To do so, we established 
a social engagement strategy that sets 
out the five pillars for stakeholder 
engagement and our community 
investment approach. We also support 
our communities directly by tackling 
some of the key environmental 
challenges, from water shortages and 
loss of biodiversity to climate change. 
At Hochschild, we are committed to 
operate and produce metals with the 
smallest possible environmental footprint, 
whether through reducing water usage, 
taking steps to mitigate greenhouse gas 
emissions and adapt to climate change, 
or improving our waste and tailings 
management. In 2022 and beyond, we will 
continue to improve our environmental 
performance, measured by our award-
winning ECO Score.

The Hochschild approach to working 
with our communities
We strive to promote close long-term 
collaboration with local communities, 
with full respect for local customs and 
social dynamics. Our actions are guided 
by our Sustainability, Human Rights and 
Community Relations policies which 
provide the framework for our engagement 
with the communities and other local 
stakeholders. Our social engagement 
strategy is based on five pillars:

 – stakeholder engagement strategy:

 – local employment;

 – the procurement of local goods 

and services;

 – community investment in social 

programmes; and

 – supporting local governments with 

capacity building and local investment 
projects.

Through the implementation of this 
strategy, our intention is to build trust and 
a mutually beneficial relationship with the 
49 communities in our direct area of 
influence – approximately 3,000 families.

 4  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 5  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther Information 
Creating value  
for our employees

Hochschild’s success relies on its people. We seek to 
promote our Corporate Purpose and provide a positive 
and stimulating working environment, where the 
development of employees is encouraged. 

Highlights

9%

REDUCTION IN LOST TIME INJURY FREQUENCY 
RATE COMPARED WITH 2020

RANKED 

2nd

OUT OF 21 MINING COMPANIES IN PERU FOR 
EMPLOYEE-FRIENDLY POLICIES*

27

CONVERSATION SESSIONS HELD TO SUPPORT 
FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC 

*  2021 Merco Talento Corporate Reputation Business 

Monitor rankings

Safety HOC app

The ‘Safety HOC app’ was designed 
in-house in 2017 and has become the 
backbone of Hochschild’s collection and 
management of safety data, integrating 
a suite of modules used by leaders and 
employees to effectively manage safety. 
The app played an important role during 
the Covid-19 pandemic, when it became 
essential to promote the use of 
technology to reduce contact.

We work to embed 
a Company-wide 
safety-first culture 
as our people are 
our most valuable 
assets”

At Hochschild we work to embed a 
Company-wide safety-first culture as 
our people are our most valuable assets. 
Our safety transformation programme 
continues to evolve through our updated 
Safety 2.0 action plan. To meet the 
changing needs of our employees 
during the Covid-19 pandemic, we 
have sharpened our focus on 
employee wellbeing, health and safety 
by implementing innovative initiatives 
and protocols. In addition, our diversity 
and inclusion programme, DiverSidad, 
enables us to maximise our reach for 
talent and provide equal employment 
opportunities for all. 

Safety performance

We recognise that a more engaged 
workforce is one where people actively 
look out for their own and others’ safety, 
helping us to manage our safety and 
health risks. To further embed a 
Company-wide safety-first culture, 
in 2020 we reviewed the success of 
our Safety Culture Transformation Plan, 
an initiative first launched in 2017 and 
championed across the Company.

To ensure continuous improvement, we 
rolled out an updated action plan known 
as ‘Safety 2.0’, made up of seven key 
attributes covering training, effective 
communication, recognition and linking 
compensation with safety indicators.

  READ MORE

Sustainability report – page 59

 6  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 7  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther InformationCreating value  
for shareholders

Hochschild has made strong strategic progress in 2021 
with the execution of three main business development 
projects. We expect all of them to deliver significant 
value to shareholders in the near future.

Exploration site

 1 Snip (Canada)

Exploration project

2 Aclara (Chile)

3 Amarillo Gold 

(Brazil)

1

2

3

Snip option

Aclara demerger

Amarillo purchase

In October 2021, we decided to exercise 
our option to start earning-in to a 60% 
interest in the Snip gold project located in 
the Golden Triangle in British Columbia, 
Canada. The project is currently held by 
Skeena Resources Limited. This delivers 
us a high-grade gold project with strong 
upside potential in a stable jurisdiction.

Snip consists of approximately 4,546 
hectares and is situated in Tahltan Territory. 
The former mine produced approximately 
one million ounces of gold from 1991 until 
1999 at an average gold grade of 27.5 
grammes per tonne. Since then, the project 
has been improved with the recent 
construction of nearby infrastructure and 
substantially higher gold prices.

Underground drilling recommenced in late 
2017 to explore for additional mineralised 
shoots in a large shear structure and a 
maiden mineral resource was announced 
in July 2020 with a technical report issued 
in September 2020.

Subsequent drill campaigns successfully 
upgraded areas of existing Inferred 
resources from the Mineral Resource 
Estimate to the Measured and Indicated 
categories as well as expanding the 
resource and delineating additional 
mineralisation in previously unexplored 
areas of the near-mine environment.

In 2022, we are planning on continuing 
these drill campaigns and initiating 
selected studies and testwork. Under 
the terms of the option agreement we will 
invest C$100 million over a three-year 
period with a minimum of C$7.5 million in 
exploration or development expenditures 
invested in the project each year. We are 
able to end the option at any time. 

In October, we were pleased to announce 
the demerger of 80% of our rare earths 
business, Aclara Resources Inc (formerly 
known as Biolantanidos) as well as the 
listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and 
a concurrent initial public offering which 
raised approximately $98 million. 

Aclara is a development-stage rare 
earth mineral resources company with 
a strategic land package of mineral 
concessions in Chile. It is developing a 
project called the Penco Module which 
contains ionic clays that are rich in heavy 
rare earth elements essential for the 
current electric revolution. 

Although the project was acquired in 
2019, we do believe that the demerger 
was the logical next step forward and 
that, as two standalone businesses, both 
Hochschild and Aclara now have the 
greatest potential for delivering long-term 
value creation with their own strategic 
focus on their respective products, their 
own dedicated management teams, 
separated access to capital and an 
independent valuation. 

Furthermore, we have also maintained 
a strategic relationship that will allow 
Aclara to benefit from our track record 
on project execution and ESG. We believe 
that current and future Hochschild 
shareholders will also benefit from 
retaining the 20% stake in a business 
that offers an exciting proposition in a 
high growth market.

In November, we announced the 
acquisition of Amarillo Gold and its 
flagship Posse gold project in Brazil for 
a net acquisition cost of approximately 
C$135 million. The transaction is 
expected to close in Q1 2022.

Posse is an open pit gold project 
located in Mara Rosa in the mining 
friendly jurisdiction of Goiás State. 
This brownfield project benefits from 
existing infrastructure and attractive 
costs with construction of certain other 
infrastructure already underway and the 
project having received the ‘License to 
Install’ from state regulators in February 
2021 and approval for the power line in 
October 2021. 

The acquisition aligns with our core 
strengths and long-term strategy of 
acquiring and optimising development 
stage projects in the Americas. It 
enhances our project pipeline and is the 
result of a long-term Company review 
process of a wide range of growth 
opportunities. Posse is an attractive 
low-cost project with relatively near-term 
production and strong exploration upside 
potential. We believe we are ideally placed 
to take Posse to the next stage and 
generate strong sustainable value for the 
Company. In addition, the project has 
benefited from a complementary ESG-led 
approach with strong local community 
and government support and we aim to 
continue that focus throughout the 
mine cycle.epuda eperovid.

$9m

SNIP BUDGET FOR 2022

20%

 HOCHSCHILD’S STAKE IN ACLARA 
AFTER THE DEMERGER

~100Koz AU

POSSE’S AVERAGE ANNUAL PRODUCTION  
OVER THE FIRST 4 YEARS

 8  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 9  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther Information 
MARKET REVIEW

Working in changing markets 
Hochschild is subject to external market dynamics associated  
with the precious metals industry that inform decision-making and 
influence our business performance. In addition, our operations,  
located in Peru and Argentina, are exposed to changing country-  
specific factors that can impact our business.

Gold market summary

Demand
Demand

Supply
Supply

   Jewellery 
50.7%
   Electronics 
8.7%
   Official Sector  
Purchases 
8.4%
   Private Investment  
Demand 
29.6%
   Dental and Other 
2.7%

%

%

   Mine Production 
71.1%
   Secondary Supply 
23.8%
   Net Exports from 
Transitional 
Economies 
5.1%

Jewellery  50.7%
Source: CPM Group LLC
Electronics  8.7%
Official sector purchases  8.4%
Private investment demand  29.6%
Dental and other  2.7%

Mine production  71.1%
Secondary supply  23.8%
Net exports from
transitional economies  5.1%

 10  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Gold and silver prices in 2021
Daily settlement of nearby active Comex 
futures, indexed to 4 January 2021

Country production
Latin American production rankings

Gold
Silver

110

105

100

95

90

85

80

75

Jan 21

Feb 21 Mar 21 Apr 21 May 21 Jun 21

Jul 21

Aug 21

Sep 21 Oct 21 Nov 21 Dec 21

Peru

Argentina

Mexico

Chile

2021

2020

Gold

Silver

Gold

Silver

7

15

8

20

2

11

1

5

10

16

8

21

2

11

1

5

Following a stellar year in 2020, when 
gold gained 24.4% and rose to record 
levels, in 2021 gold prices ended the year 
slightly lower year-over-year, down 3.5%. 

In 2021, prices moved between $1,673.30 
and $1,962.50, a $289.20 band, averaging 
$1,799.32 for the year. Monetary policy 
around the world remains extremely 
accommodative with fiscal policy also 
remaining loose although it has 
tightened in many countries since the 
depths of the 2020 economic lockdown 
as upward inflationary pressures 
continue their trajectory. 

Investors are estimated to have 
purchased 38.8 million ounces of gold 
in 2021, down from 43.6 million ounces 
in 2020. While purchases declined, they 
remained near decade-high levels and 
were more than double the volumes of net 
investor demand for physical gold in 2018 
and 2019. Investors remained interested 
in gold last year and this is expected to 
continue in 2022.

The official sector is estimated to have 
purchased around 11 million ounces of 
gold on a net basis in 2021. This was up 
from 8.0 million ounces of net purchases 
by central banks and monetary authorities 
in 2020, but not as much as the 17.3 million 
ounces that was bought in 2019. The major 
buyers of gold last year were Thailand, 
India, Hungary, and Brazil, each having 
purchased between 2 and 3 million 
ounces. Singapore, Uzbekistan, 
Kazakhstan, and Australia each bought 
between 500,000 ounces and 1 million 
ounces of gold. There was some selling by 
the Philippines, Turkey and a few other 
countries, but combined net disposals 
totalled around 2.0 million ounces.

Total gold supply was 131.2 million ounces 
last year, up from 128.9 million ounces in 
2020. Mine production nearly recovered 
to pre-pandemic levels last year, following 
the relatively steep drop in output in 2020. 

On the demand side, offtake for gold in 
industrial end uses was 15.0 million 
ounces last year, up from 14.8 million 
ounces in 2020. Demand for gold in 
jewellery was 66.5 million ounces in 2021, 
surging 6.4% from 62.5 million ounces in 
2020. The sharp increase occurred in 
developing countries, as many 
populations use gold as a form of savings 
and hedge against uncertain times. 

Many mining operations operated 
normally after the tumultuous 2020 and 
this aided the recovery of output in most 
gold producing countries. Market mine 
production was 93.3 million ounces in 
2021, up 3.7% from 90.0 million ounces 
in 2020. 

Secondary recovery remained stronger at 
31.2 million ounces, down just 0.6% from 
31.4 million ounces in 2020. Historically 
high prices continued to pull gold into the 
recovery cycle, especially for those 
populations that traditionally hold gold 
jewellery as a form of savings and who 
were adversely affected economically 
by ongoing Covid-related problems 
or restrictions. 

Possible drivers for gold in 2022

Further Covid variants could continue 
to affect world economies. Covid could 
continue to push and pull at investor 
sentiment towards gold in addition to 
all other markets. 

Inflation is increasingly becoming a 
concern to global economies and is at 
levels not seen since the 1970s. There 
are consequent rising pressures on 
monetary officials to react and 
concerns that loose fiscal policies are 
supporting inflation. Gold investment 
demand and prices should be 
expected to benefit from concerns 
about inflation, government spending, 
and related economic issues. 

Central banks are expected to 
continue to be net buyers of gold in 
2022, potentially adding another 11.5 
million ounces to their coffers this year. 
Most central banks continue to look to 
diversify their foreign exchange 
holdings, notably seeking to reduce 

holdings of the US dollar. However, 
the mechanics of global finance have 
kept the US dollar as the main form 
of foreign exchange holdings at 
relatively stable, high proportions 
of total reserves.

Investors are expected to continue to 
purchase historically high volumes of 
gold in 2022 with 38.2 million ounces 
being the initial projection for 2022. 
Mine production is expected to rise to 
94.4 million ounces this year, 
secondary supply to 32.2 million 
ounces, and transitional economy 
sales to 6.6 million ounces, all totalling 
133.1 million ounces in 2022. Total 
supply thus would be up from 131.2 
million ounces in 2020. Fabrication 
demand is expected to rise at a 
stronger pace than supplies. Industrial 
demand could hold steady at 15.0 
million ounces while jewellery demand 
could rise to 68.4 million ounces, up 
from 66.5 million ounces in 2020. 

 11  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationMARKET REVIEW CONTINUED

Silver market summary

Demand
Demand

Supply
Supply

   Other Industrial 
Uses 50.4%
   Jewellery and 
Silverware 23.6%
   Coin Fabrication 
11.9%
   Investment Demand  
(excl coins) 10.5%
  Photography 4.4%

%

%

   Mine Production 
77.3%
   Secondary Supply 
22.7%

Source: CPM Group LLC

Other Industrial Uses  50.4%
Jewelry and Silverware  23.6%
Coin Fabrication  11.9%
Investment Demand, (excl coins)  10.5%
Photography  4.4%

Mine production  77.3%
Secondary supply  22.7%
Net exports from
transitional economies  0.0%

 12  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Silver prices moved between $21.40 
and $30.35 in 2021, ending the year at 
$23.35, down 11.6% from the close of 
$26.41 in 2020. 

Silver prices averaged $25.17 on an 
annual basis in 2021, up 21.7% from an 
annual average price of $20.68 in 2020. 
This recovery in the average price was 
due to a nearly 50% increase in 
investment demand.

Investment demand rose as world 
economies continued to battle the Covid 
pandemic with the metal benefiting from 
increased fabricator and investor interest. 
Investment demand was 119.7 million 
ounces in 2021, up sharply from 80.1 
million ounces in 2020, and a little more 
than triple the 39.8 million ounces in 2019. 

With Covid vaccination programmes 
throughout most countries, the number 
and intensity of lockdowns around the 
globe in 2021 reduced and in turn silver 
mine production and refining facilities 
were able to operate with reduced 
disruption, albeit still facing other 
challenges, notably supply chain and 
other logistical issues. Total supply for 
silver was 1.0 billion ounces in 2021, up 
5.2% from 954.7 million ounces in 2020. 
Mine production rose to 789.3 million 
ounces last year, up 8.2% from 2020. 
Secondary supply was 215.5 million 
ounces in 2021, down from 225.0 million 
ounces in 2020. 

Fabrication demand for silver was 885.1 
million ounces in 2021, up from 874.6 
million ounces in 2020. Demand for 
jewellery and silver, electronics and 
batteries, and solar panels rose while 
silver use in photography and other 
uses fell. 

Monetary and fiscal policy remain loose in 
most parts of the world, while inflation has 
been rising in recent months. Supply 

chains remain constrained as Covid 
policies and infections continue to hamper 
logistics. Interest remains in both gold and 
silver as a financial asset. Social and 
political friction in many countries of the 
world have impacted governments’ 
abilities to deal with the existing economic, 
social, and political issues. This confusion 
has been present in the gold and silver 
investment markets as well, adding to 
investor confusion to an extent.

Possible drivers for silver in 2022

The latest Covid-19 variant, Omicron, 
is widespread and causing tighter 
restrictions in various countries as of 
January 2022. It is unclear what 2022 
will bring in terms of any new Covid 
variants, but the virus now appears 
likely to remain, affecting all aspects of 
life, including the silver market.

Tightening monetary policy now is 
expected this year. Rising inflation is 
causing sharply increased consumer 
and financial market dissatisfaction in 
many countries around the world with 
policy leaders being pressured to take 
steps to curb inflation while not 
derailing economic recovery. 

Total supply of silver is expected to be 
967.1 million ounces this year, down 
from 1.0 billion ounces in 2021. Mine 

production could total 754.6 million 
ounces, down from 789.3 million 
ounces in 2021. Secondary recovery 
meanwhile is expected to total 212.5 
million ounces, down slightly from 
215.5 million ounces. Silver fabrication 
demand is expected to reach 903.7 
million ounces, up from 885.1 million 
ounces last year. Demand is expected 
to rise across nearly all sectors except 
for photography. 

Silver investment demand is expected 
to soften during 2022. On a net basis 
investors are expected to add around 
63 million ounces of silver to their 
holdings during the year. This would 
be roughly half the amount added to 
investor holdings during 2021. 

 13  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

A strong strategic 
position

Eduardo Hochschild  
Chairman

2021 was a very demanding year for the Company 
due to the continued effects of Covid-19 and challenges 
resulting from operating in jurisdictions with increased 
political, regulatory and social risk. 

I am very proud of the resilience and dedication 

demonstrated by all colleagues in successfully 
delivering on our annual targets and ensuring our 
commitments to the environment, our stakeholders 

and communities remain the utmost priority. 
Hochschild is in a strong position strategically 
and in 2021 we made a number of changes to our 
portfolio that lay the foundations for sustainable 
low-cost growth in the near future.

However, I would like to first turn to an event that 
severely affected us in June 2021. A tragic traffic 
accident took place in southern Peru involving our 
transport contractor which claimed the lives of 26 
people who worked at our Pallancata operation. 
The entire organisation has been deeply upset by 
this unprecedented incident and the management 
team ensured everything possible was done to 
investigate its circumstances and provide a wide 
range of support to everyone affected. We have 
worked with the local authorities and the contractor 
with their respective accident investigations and 
have provided whatever support we can with the 
aim of avoiding such incidents in the future.

Safety remains our highest priority and in 2021, we 
continued with the implementation of the second 
stage of our safety plan, known as Safety 2.0. The 
plan combines technical and people-focused 
approaches and, during the year, we saw our risk 
management systems externally reviewed as well as 
the development of an all-encompassing safety 
indicator – the ‘Seguscore’. This will help us to further 
embed a safety-first culture across our organisation. 
As reported in the interim results, we regrettably 

I am very proud to report a strong 
environmental performance in 2021. 
For the first time ever, four of our assets 
achieved the highest rating under our 
internally designed ECO Score.”

suffered a fatal accident at San Jose towards 
the end of the first quarter, and in November a 
contractor was fatally injured at the Aclara rare 
earths project. Further details on these accidents 
will be provided in our 2021 Sustainability Report.

I am very proud to report a strong environmental 
performance in 2021. For the first time ever, four of 
our assets achieved the highest rating under our 
internally designed ECO Score. This innovative 
indicator distils, in one single number, numerous 
facets of environmental management. Furthermore, 
in acknowledgement of our responsibilities to our 
stakeholders, we sought in 2021 to build on our 
environmental reporting practices. Our first 
standalone Sustainability Report received external 
recognition and we look to build on this success 
with numerous initiatives this year including, most 
notably, our ambition to achieve carbon neutrality, 
which is well advanced and due to be published 
later this quarter.

As Covid-19 eased in 2021, our community relations 
team was able to resume its focus on our key local 
initiatives. In education, we donated almost 300 
tablets to elementary schoolchildren close to our 

Inmaculada mine to enhance learning. We were 
also able to continue implementing our strategy 
of establishing digital centres to service the 
communities by establishing three more in the 
Ayacucho region, in southern Peru. With regards to 
health and nutrition, we co-ordinated home visits to 
promote early child development and facilitated a 
Covid-19 vaccination programme for the elderly. 
We also launched a project in a town close to 
Inmaculada, which seeks to enhance access to water 
by installing equipment to collect and store water for 
domestic use. Finally, among the many programmes 
promoting economic development, we provided 
technical support to community-led agricultural 
activities as part of our ‘Impulso Productivo’ 
programme. You can find further details on our 
work in the Sustainability Report.

In November, the Company faced an unprecedented 
situation when the Peruvian Head of Cabinet 
published minutes of a meeting held in Ayacucho 
which arbitrarily provided for the closure and 
withdrawal of certain mining projects, including 
the Company’s Pallancata and Inmaculada mines. 
It was further announced that approvals would no 
longer be granted to authorise additional mining, 
exploration, or expansion activities in relation to 
these mines. However, the Government subsequently 
affirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law 
and acknowledged the continued rights of mining 
companies to request extensions and modifications 
of existing permits for mining and exploration 
activities. Whilst we never stopped operating, this 
crisis exemplifies the country’s current heightened 
political, regulatory and social risk. 

2021 was a crucial year for business development. 
In the second half, we executed three different 
transactions that have reshaped our Company into 
one that is focused on delivering mid-term growth 
across a wider range of jurisdictions in the Americas. 
In September, we exercised our option to start 

2.3c/share

FINAL DIVIDEND

 14  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 15  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT CONTINUED

Our Company is managed with a conviction 
that acting responsibly and with integrity 
is the only way to build and manage a 
business over the long term.”

Pallancata, we have been able to optimise the 
long-term mine plan utilising the existing resource 
base and have extended the life of the operation for 
a further two years whilst we look for additional 
near-mine and regional resource opportunities.

Sanjay Sarma stepped down from the Hochschild 
Board to join the board of Aclara Resources on 
completion of the demerger. I would like to thank 
Sanjay for the valuable and unique perspective he 
has brought to the Hochschild Board discussions. 
I am delighted that Tracey Kerr joined the Hochschild 
Board on 10 December. She brings vast experience 
in areas of crucial importance to the Company 
including geology, safety and sustainability. 
The Board and I look forward to working 
closely with Tracey.

Outlook 
2021 saw precious metal prices in a period of 
consolidation. Gold fell slightly by 3.5% in the year 
and silver was much more volatile, down 11.5% 
although this followed a 47% rise in 2020. However, 
the ongoing price strength allied to reliable 
operational performance and good cost control has 
resulted in high levels of profitability and continued 
good cash flow. We have maintained a strong capital 
base and have managed the Company’s balance 
sheet and liquidity to ensure long-term financial 
stability. The Board is therefore pleased to 
recommend a final dividend of 2.3 cents per share 
($12.0 million).

Our Company is managed with a conviction that 
acting responsibly and with integrity is the only way 
to build and manage a business over the long term. 
We have a clear sense of our social purpose and a 
strong belief in our duty to respect the dignity of 
everyone who works for us. In addition, we have 
always been committed to operating under the 
highest standards of corporate citizenship, 
environmental and industry best practice whilst 
acting as a good and supportive neighbour to the 
communities around us and recognising our wider 
obligations to society as a whole. The Board and I 
would like to thank all of our stakeholders for their 
contributions and continued support during such 
a momentous period.

Eduardo Hochschild
Chairman
22 February 2022

earning-in a 60% interest in Skeena Resources’ 
Snip gold project in British Columbia. In November, 
we announced the acquisition of Amarillo Gold with 
its Posse gold project in Brazil, which is due to 
commence production in 2024. Both projects 
complement our current portfolio and, with Canada 
and Brazil, we are entering two jurisdictions that have 
established and stable mining histories. Finally, we 
were pleased to complete the demerger and listing 
on the Toronto Stock Exchange of our Chilean rare 
earth business, renamed Aclara Resources. With 
almost $100 million of capital raised concurrently, 
Aclara is in a strong position to advance the Penco 
project and our confidence is confirmed by our 
decision to retain a 20% stake. 

Turning to our operations, we were once again able 
to deliver on our annual production and cost targets 
despite our stringent Covid protocols remaining in 
place throughout the year. In addition, precious 
metal prices remained strong, and with our business 
continuing to generate robust free cash flow and 
the additional liquidity provided by our increased 
loan, we are in a comfortable position to finance 
the construction of the Posse project over the next 
two years and advance Snip through the 
development phase.

Our brownfield programme also made excellent 
progress this year. The team made significant 
discoveries at Inmaculada in the north west of the 
deposit which they expect will add further high grade 
resources to the mine plan. At San Jose, we have also 
added resources near to the current mine whilst at 

 16  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 17  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW

Our commitment to our suite of 
ESG initiatives remains absolute

Ignacio Bustamante  
Chief Executive Officer

2021 has been an important year for our Company. We have taken 
decisive strategic action to shape Hochschild’s future and delivered 
strong operational and financial results whilst continuing to operate 
responsibly and focus on the implementation of our ESG strategy. 

I continue to be very proud of all our people and their 

response to numerous challenges again posed by 
the pandemic and also by a volatile political, 
economic and social environment in Peru. 

Such solid operational delivery provides the 
foundation upon which, in the second half of the 
year, we announced the acquisition of Amarillo 
Gold Corp. in Brazil, exercised our option to start 
earning-in a 60% interest in the Snip gold project 
in Canada and demerged our rare earths business, 
Aclara Resources, and listed it on the Toronto Stock 
Exchange. We believe that these strategic steps will 
underpin Hochschild’s ability to grow shareholder 
value over the next decade.

ESG
The tragic traffic accident of our transport 
contractor which the Chairman has discussed in his 
statement was a shock for everyone in our Company. 
However, our commitment to a broad suite of ESG 
initiatives remains absolute as part of our focus on 
safety and responsibility towards the environment 
and our stakeholders. Given the partially reduced 
dominance of Covid-19 in 2021, we were able to 
resume our focus on the key pillars of our work with 
the local communities with numerous and wide-
ranging initiatives in education, digital strategy, 
health and nutrition, access to safe sources of water, 
local employment and procurement of local goods 
and services. On the environmental front, we again 
achieved an excellent ECO Score, enhanced our 
reporting by participating in the Carbon Disclosure 
Project (‘CDP’) and early-adopting the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’) 
reporting requirements, and we are currently working 
hard to complete our first corporate strategy to 
become net zero carbon. During the year, we also 
continued to invest in our safety risk-management 
system which will support and complement the 
various programmes in our safety plan.

Creating value for shareholders

Developing our presence in 
Brazil with our purchase of 
Amarillo Gold
The acquisition enhances our 
project pipeline and is the result 
of a long-term Company review 
process of a wide range of 
growth opportunities. It is our 
first move into Brazil and we are 
ideally placed to take the Posse 
project to the next stage and 
generate strong sustainable 
value for the Company and the 
project’s local stakeholders.

Building on our potential at  
Snip in Canada
Snip represents the first step 
in our strategy to add another 
high-grade project with strong 
upside potential into our 
pipeline. Since October 2021, 
we have established a positive 
dialogue with the Tahltan Nation 
and provincial authorities, 
designed an ambitious drill 
programme for 2022, and built 
a team to take over operations 
management at the project.

 18  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 19  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther InformationCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Posse is an attractive low-cost project 
with relatively near-term production and 
strong exploration upside potential.”

Operations
Hochschild’s output in 2021 continued our 
good record in meeting annual guidance. Overall 
production was 362,972 gold equivalent ounces  
(31.2 million silver equivalent ounces) which was 
understandably substantially higher than the 
Covid-impacted 2020 figure of 289,293 gold 
equivalent ounces (24.9 million silver equivalent 
ounces). This was produced at an all-in sustaining 
cost of $1,241 per gold equivalent ounce ($14.4 per 
silver equivalent ounce) which was slightly higher 
than 2020 reflecting increased development capital 
expenditure. Hochschild’s flagship mine, Inmaculada, 
had another strong year producing 238,238 gold 
equivalent ounces (2020: 176,086 ounces) at $971 
per gold equivalent ounce. 

At Pallancata, production in 2021 reflected the 
current focus on mine development and brownfield 
exploration to extend the mine life but still had a 
steady year delivering 4.4 million silver equivalent 
ounces (2020: 4.8 million ounces) at a cost of $22.8 
per silver equivalent ounce. In Argentina, San Jose 
operated throughout the year but continued to 
experience Covid-related restrictions on labour 
availability in the country limiting the Company’s 
ability to access certain planned mining zones and 
impacting grades. Production was 12.4 million silver 
equivalent ounces (2020: 9.7 million ounces) with 
costs at $16.7 per silver equivalent ounce.

Business development
In October, we decided to exercise our option to 
start earning-in a 60% interest in Skeena Resources’ 
Snip project in Tahltan Territory of British Columbia. 
This represented the first step in our strategy to 
add another high-grade project with strong upside 
potential into our pipeline. Since October, we have 
established a positive dialogue with the Tahltan 
Nation and provincial authorities, designed an 
ambitious drill programme for 2022, and built a team 
to take over operations management at the project. 
It is an exciting time for Hochschild as we build out 
our Canadian presence.

Also in October, we announced the demerger of our 
rare earths business, Aclara Resources, and its listing 
on the Toronto Stock Exchange. We believe that it 
was the logical next step forward and that, as two 
standalone businesses, both Hochschild and Aclara 
will have the greatest potential for delivering long-
term value creation. Each will have their own 
strategic focus on their respective products, their 
own dedicated management teams, separated 

access to capital and an independent valuation whilst 
maintaining a strategic relationship that will allow 
Aclara to benefit from Hochschild’s track record on 
project execution and ESG. Furthermore, we felt that 
current and future Hochschild shareholders will also 
benefit from retaining a meaningful stake in a 
business that offers an exciting proposition in a high 
growth market. We were pleased that the demerger 
and IPO were completed in December with almost 
$100 million raised.

In November, we announced a definitive agreement 
to acquire Amarillo Gold for a net acquisition cost of 
C$135 million ($106 million) with the key asset being 
the flagship Posse gold project located in Goiás 
State, Brazil. The acquisition enhances our project 
pipeline and is the result of a long-term Company 
review process of a wide range of growth 
opportunities. Posse is an attractive low-cost project 
with relatively near-term production and strong 
exploration upside potential. With our significant 
experience in developing precious metal deposits 
in the Americas, Hochschild is ideally placed to 
take Posse to its next stage and generate strong 
sustainable value for the Company and the project’s 
local stakeholders as well as widening our focus in 
stable mining jurisdictions in the Americas.

Exploration
Once again the brownfield programme focused 
on the surrounding areas of all three of our mines 
and I am pleased to report that our team have had 
a successful campaign and delivered resource 
increases at both Inmaculada and San Jose. 
At Inmaculada, drilling in the Angela North and 
surrounding veins yielded just over 850,000 gold 
equivalent ounces at higher grades than current 
reserve grade whilst at San Jose we have added 
almost 13 million silver equivalent ounces close 
to current operations.1 At Pallancata, the team 
completed a revised mine plan that incorporates the 
existing resource base and therefore has been able 
to guarantee the mine’s future for the next two years 
at least. There remain some promising brownfield 
drill targets close to the current mine and in the 
district as a whole which could secure the long-term 
supply for the nearby Selene plant. 

Financial position
A reliable production performance and strong price 
environment have resulted in our balance sheet 
remaining in an enviable position with cash and cash 
equivalents of $386.8 million at the end of December 
(2020: $231.9 million). This is before the estimated net 

payment of C$135 million for Amarillo Gold (due 
by the end of Q1 2022) and includes an additional 
$100 million medium-term loan (drawn down in 
December 2021) and a $20 million investment in 
the Aclara Resources Inc IPO. This has led to a net 
cash position of $86.3 million (31 December 2020: 
$21.6 million net cash).

silver equivalent ounce). This forecast includes 
lower grades at Inmaculada due to the inclusion 
into the mine plan of veins discovered between 
2018 and 2020. It also includes a rise in mine 
development costs at Inmaculada and San Jose 
to access veins discovered in 2021 and increase 
reserves at San Jose.

Financial results
Total Group production was significantly higher 
versus 2020, which was impacted by the Covid- 
related stoppages, and consequently, combined 
with a 12% rise in the silver price received, revenue 
increased to $811.4 million (2020: $621.8 million). 
All-in sustaining costs were in line with guidance 
at $14.4 per silver equivalent ounce (2020: $12.8 
per ounce). Adjusted EBITDA of $382.8 million 
(2020: $270.9 million) mostly reflects the increased 
production levels and is partially offset by increased 
cost of sales and administrative costs. Pre-
exceptional earnings per share of $0.14 (2020: 
$0.06 per share) includes the impact of an increase 
in finance costs in Argentina and also of income tax 
arising from the impact of local currency devaluation 
in Peru and Argentina and the increased income tax 
rate in Argentina. Post-exceptional earnings per 
share was higher at $0.15 (2020: $0.03 earnings per 
share) mainly due to the exceptional gain on Aclara 
demerger of $37.5 million, partially offset by a $24.9 
million impairment of Pallancata and $24.1 million of 
Covid-19 response initiatives which are also deemed 
to be exceptional as they were incremental to the 
Group’s regular business. The net after-tax effect 
of exceptional items is $3.7 million.

Outlook
We expect attributable production in 2022 of 
between 360,000-375,000 gold equivalent ounces 
(26.0 to 27.0.0 million silver equivalent ounces) 
assuming the silver to gold ratio of 72:1 (the average 
ratio for 2021). This will be driven by: 218,000-
222,000 gold equivalent ounces from Inmaculada; 
an attributable contribution of 5.7 to 6.1 million silver 
equivalent ounces from San Jose; and 4.6-4.9 million 
ounces from Pallancata. All-in sustaining costs for 
operations are expected at between $1,330 and 
$1,370 per gold equivalent ounce ($18.5 to $18.9 per 

The budget for brownfield exploration is at 
approximately $34 million with the greenfield 
and advanced project budget set at approximately 
$11 million. In addition, a budget of approximately 
$9 million has been allocated to advancing the 
Snip project in Canada with a project capex budget 
of $120 million assigned to the Posse project in Brazil. 

We have also recently begun to re-establish 
operations in Chile at our 100%-owned Volcan 
gold project. In 2022, we expect to complete a work 
programme to optimise the business case for this 
substantial gold asset. In parallel, the project is 
expected to be restructured into a newly established 
Canadian company, named Tiernan Gold. Tiernan 
will be run by newly appointed CEO, Greg McCunn, 
and during the year, we will be evaluating different 
strategic alternatives. 

2022 promises to be another year of volatility and 
the world is not free from the pandemic yet. However, 
throughout our history, Hochschild has shown an 
ability to withstand operational, political and social 
challenges and we believe that we have the correct 
long-term strategy to generate value for our 
shareholders today while we transition the Company 
for the future. Finally, our commitment to a broad 
suite of ESG initiatives remains absolute as part 
of our focus on safety and responsibility. 

Ignacio Bustamante
Chief Executive Officer 
22 February 2022

1   Equivalent resource figures calculated using the gold/silver ratio of 72x.

 20  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 21  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
BUSINESS MODEL

Benefiting all our stakeholders 
Our well-established and resilient business model reflects our long-term  
commitment to our employees, communities and society as a whole  
as well as providing an attractive investment proposition.

Inputs

Our core activities  

Outputs

These inputs are key in 
consistently achieving 
productive, safe and 
environmentally sound 
operations.

Responsibility
We are focused on: operating a safe 
workplace to enable our employees 
to thrive; seeking to generate social 
value within our surrounding 
communities; and minimising 
our environmental impact.

Governance
We maintain high standards of 
controls and processes to protect 
and enhance stakeholder interests.

Expertise
We have specific expertise in mining 
a variety of deposit types in complex 
geological conditions throughout 
the Americas.

Experience
We have steadily built an enviable 
track record in managing mines, 
developing projects, identifying 
growth options and utilising 
best practice social and 
environmental policies.

Discipline
We deploy capital in a disciplined 
manner underpinned by our 
long-standing financial relationships 
and a focus on value accretive 
opportunities. 

Innovation 
We are dedicated to the 
development of more efficient 
business practices through the 
adoption of new technologies.

Technical expertise is the key attribute  
underpinning our business model

How we create value

Environment

Health & Safety

1. 

Discover 

2. 

Develop 

We are able to progress our projects 
efficiently in a short space of time and the 
ability to operate in remote locations and 
high altitudes remains a core competitive 
advantage. We have unrivalled knowledge 
of the key mining jurisdictions throughout 
the Americas and believe our experience 
in managing all project requirements 
including permitting, local community and 
government support places us in a strong 
position with regards to the execution of 
precious metal opportunities.

We have strong expertise in 
discovering and developing long-term 
geological districts. Our highly 
experienced exploration team 
believes that there is strong potential 
across all our properties to continue 
to generate strong returns from the 
Company’s existing resource base. 
Furthermore, our greenfield and 
project development strategy 
involves a significant number of 
drilling campaigns at premium 
precious metal prospects across the 
Americas. These can be executed 
in-house or in partnership with a 
variety of reputable exploration 
companies with attached earn-in or 
joint venture options if successful.

3. 

Extract 

We have developed an extensive in-house 
knowledge base of the challenges inherent 
in a range of different ore bodies, varying 
metals as well as in a variety of 
environments throughout our regions. This 
has resulted in us consistently meeting 
annual operational targets, implementing 
significant cost efficiency programmes 
and replacing and adding to our resource 
base. In addition, our growing commitment 
to innovation is allowing us to incorporate 
key technological advances and apply 
them to our business.

The efficacy and resilience of our business model 
allows us to invest in the future of our employees, 
redistribute profit to our host communities through 
a wide variety of collaborative programmes and 
deliver long-term value for all our shareholders.

Communities
Over many decades, Hochschild has been able to 
invest in a number of local programmes focusing on our 
core themes of education, health and socio-economic 
development and allowing us to operate collaboratively 
with communities across our regions. We have also been 
able to deliver a range of innovative employment and 
business opportunities whilst retaining our respect for 
the environment and cultural traditions. Many of these 
initiatives continued during the 2020/2021 pandemic.

15%

WORKFORCE 
FROM LOCAL 
COM MUNITIES

Employees
The success of our business model helps us to provide 
personal development, competitive compensation and 
proper working conditions. We aim to empower our 
employees with learning opportunities and new 
challenges in a positive, healthy and safe work 
environment. In addition, there is an ongoing recognition 
that all should have opportunities to contribute and 
develop their capabilities through volunteer work as 
well as direct initiatives.

2nd

OUT OF 21 M INING 
COM PANIES IN PERU*

Shareholders
We are committed to our aims of profitable and safe 
operations, a strong local and international reputation 
and stability. We believe that if we can deliver 
sustainable low-cost growth and consequently generate 
solid free cash flow, we can use that to repay all our 
stakeholders. Since the middle of 2016 we have paid out 
$104 million in equity dividends and we have announced 
a further 2021 final dividend of $12 million despite the 
significant disruption to our operations from the global 
pandemic and the Peruvian political situation.

$12m

DIVIDEND 
AN NOUNCED FOR 
FULL YEAR 2021

Community

Sustainability

* 2021 Merco Talento Corporate Reputation Business Monitor rankings compiled with 
views from HR students, HR professionals and labour unions with reference to, among 
other things, companies’ employment policies, benefits and diversity

 22  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 23  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationOUR STR ATEGY

Strategic development and growth 
Our strategy focuses on four key paths  
to secure low-cost growth.

Brownfield
Life-of-mine increases

Improve quality of resources

Greenfield
Streamlining portfolio

Staking properties

Project pipeline
Advancing Posse project

Strategic alliances
Early/development stage

Optimising early-stage projects

Control (acquisition/JVs)

Spare capacity available

Progressing drill-ready projects

Further drilling 

Geological upside

ROIC: 12-15%

2021 activities

2021 activities

2021 activities

2021 activities

 – Resources up 17% at Inmaculada vs 2020
 – Additional 61m high-grade silver 

equivalent resource ounces added from 
Angela North vein at Inmaculada

 – Reserves at San Jose up 30% versus 2020
 – Pallancata mine plan remodelled to 

incorporate previously uneconomic ounces 
allowing the mine to continue feeding 
Selene plant into 2024

 – Snip project optioned from Skeena Resources
 – Drilling executed at Condor (Peru), 

Cooke Mountain (US), SW Pipeline (US) 
& Currant (US)

 – Illipah (US), Los Cuarenta (Mexico), Sarape 

(Mexico) discarded

 – 5 further US projects optioned: Valve 
House, Timber Butte, Lehman Butte & 
Speed Goat from EMX Royalties in Idaho; 
Red Rock from Atoka in Nevada 

 – Demerged Aclara Resources and executed 

IPO on Toronto Stock Exchange raising 
approximately $100 million

 – Appointed new CEO of Volcan project
 – Permitting on a number of drill targets 

including former operations, early-stage 
projects and regional exploration targets

 – Announced acquisition of Amarillo Gold
 – Exercised option on Snip project in Canada 

from Skeena Resources

 – Appointed VP North America 

2022 priorities

2022 priorities

2022 priorities

2022 priorities

 – 2022 greenfield exploration budget 

expected to be $11 million
 – Focused on the US and Peru
 – Drilling set to continue at Condor, Cooke 

Mountain, SW Pipeline, Currant

 – Drilling to start at 5 new projects in Idaho 

and Nevada

 – 2022 budget of $34 million
 – Key targets at Inmaculada: Inmaculada 
North (Juliana NE, Huarmapata and 
Lineamiento 3); Inmaculada West 
(Minascucho area); Inmaculada East 
(Melissa and Jimena)

 – Aiming to add resources from several 

targets surrounding Pallancata and Pablo 
veins whilst continuing regional drilling at 
Corina, Palca and Cochaloma 

 – Main targets at San Jose for 2022 are 

Saavedra and San Jose West

 – Snip budget for 2022 at $9 million
 – Snip exploration includes: recognising 
areas without geological information; 
exploring parallel structures to the twin 
zones; exploring for the north extension 
of 312 belt; mapping, geochemistry 
and geophysics programme

 – Advance development of Posse project 

 – Further options/JVs being considered 

in Brazil

in Americas

 – Advance Volcan project opportunities 
 – Drilling at Crespo and Azuca

 – Larger acquisitions also being assessed 

with shares

Risks

Risks

Risks

Risks

 – Political, legal and regulatory
 – Community relations
 – Personnel: recruitment and retention

 – Political, legal and regulatory
 – Community relations
 – Personnel: recruitment and retention

 – Political, legal and regulatory
 – Community relations
 – Personnel: recruitment and retention

 – Political, legal and regulatory
 – Commodity prices

 24  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 25  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationKEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Measuring our progress

Financial measures

Financial measures

Non-financial measures

Production

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Basic earnings  
per share

Dividend per share

All-in sustaining 
costs

Total silver cash 
costs

LTIFR

Accident Severity 
Index

Attributable 
resource base

31.2m oz

M oz Ag equivalent 

$811m

$383m $0.14

Pre-exceptional

¢4.3

$14.4oz

$/oz Ag equivalent

$11.0oz

$/oz Ag equivalent

1.26

676

1,525

M oz Ag equivalent

21

20

19

18

17

31.2

24.9

40.0

41.0

38.0

21

20

19

18

17

811

622

756

704

723

21

20

19

18

17

383

271

343

268

300

21

20

19

18

17

0.06

0.05

0.09

0.08

0.14

21

20

19

18

17

2.0

4.3

4.0

3.92

3.35

21

20

19

18

17

14.4

12.9

11.9

12.0

12.3

21

20

19

18

17

11.0

9.3

7.8

8.3

8.8

21

20

19

18

17

1.26

1.38

1.05

1.74

2.69

676

474

21

20

19

18

17

54

930

1,264

21

20

19

18

17

1,525

1,425

1,446

1,453

1,340

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Links to strategy

Brownfield

Greenfield

Early-stage 
projects

Strategic 
alliances

Links to remuneration
Yes 

Links to remuneration
Yes

Links to remuneration
Yes

Links to remuneration
No

Links to remuneration
No

Links to remuneration
Yes

Links to remuneration
No

Links to remuneration
Yes

Links to remuneration
Yes

Links to remuneration
Yes

Definition
Silver equivalent production 
equals total attributable gold 
production multiplied by a 
gold/silver ratio for 2022 of 
72x, 2019-2021 of 86x, 2018 of 
81x, 2017 of 74x and added to 
the total attributable silver 
production

Definition
Revenue presented in the 
financial statements is 
disclosed as net revenue 
and is calculated as gross 
revenue less commercial 
discounts

Performance
Total silver equivalent 
production increased by 25% 
versus 2020 due to the 
rebound from production 
stoppages caused by the 
Covid-19 pandemic in 2020

Performance
Total revenue increased by 
30% versus 2020 due to 
rebound in production 
versus the Covid-related 
stoppages in 2020

Definition
Calculated as profit from 
continuing operations before 
exceptional items, net finance 
costs, foreign exchange loss 
and income tax plus 
depreciation, and exploration 
expenses other than 
personnel and other 
exploration related fixed 
expenses and other 
non-cash (income)/expenses

Performance
Adjusted EBITDA 
increased by 41% to $382.8 
million (2020: $270.9 million) 
mainly due to the increase in 
revenue resulting from the 
rebound in production 
following 2020 operational 
stoppages resulting from 
the Covid-19 crisis

Outlook
Total silver equivalent 
production is forecast to be 
between 26.0 and 27.0 million 
silver equivalent ounces in 
2022 assuming a gold/silver 
conversion ratio of 72x

Outlook
Total silver equivalent 
production is forecast to be 
between 26.0 and 27.0 million 
silver equivalent ounces in 
2022 assuming a gold/silver 
conversion ratio of 72x

Outlook
Adjusted EBITDA result for 
2022 will depend on precious 
metal prices and cost and 
expenses performance 
along with the ability of 
the operations to 
operate normally

Definition
The per-share (using the 
weighted average number 
of shares outstanding for 
the period) profit available 
to equity shareholders of the 
Company from continuing 
operations before 
exceptional items

Definition
The per-share (using the 
weighted average number 
of shares outstanding for 
the period) dividend paid to 
equity shareholders of the 
Company as recommended 
by the Board

Performance
Pre-exceptional earnings 
per share rose 133% to $0.14 
due to the strong rise in the 
2021 EBITDA and includes 
the impact of an increase in 
finance costs in Argentina 
and also of income tax 
arising from the impact of 
local currency devaluation in 
Peru and Argentina and the 
increased income tax rate 
in Argentina 

Outlook
Pre-exceptional earnings per 
share will depend on EBITDA 
performance and the 
effective tax rate which may 
be impacted if local 
currencies including the 
Peruvian sol and Argentinian 
peso continue to depreciate

Performance
Dividend per share 
increased by 7%

Outlook
Dividend per share for 2022 
will depend on the level of 
profitability of the Company 
and the available uses of 
cash and is at the discretion 
of the Board

Definition
Calculated before 
exceptional items and 
includes cost of sales less 
depreciation and change in 
inventories, administrative 
expenses, brownfield 
exploration, operating capex 
and royalties divided by 
silver equivalent ounces 
produced using a gold/silver 
ratio of 72:1 

Definition
Cash costs are calculated 
based on pre-exceptional 
figures. Co-product cash 
cost per ounce is the cash 
cost allocated to the primary 
metal (allocation based on 
proportion of revenue), 
divided by the ounces sold 
of the primary metal

Definition
Calculated as total number 
of accidents per million 
labour hours

Definition
Calculated as total number 
of days lost per million 
labour hours

Definition
Total attributable silver 
equivalent metal resources 
as at 31 December 2021

Performance
All-in sustaining costs 
from operations rose 
versus 2021 mainly as a 
result of returning to a full 
production rate versus the 
2020 Covid stoppages 

Performance
Total silver cash costs for the 
Company increased by 18% 
versus 2020 due to increases 
in unit costs in Peru and 
some decreases in grade 
across the Group

Performance
LTIFR decreased by 9% 
and remains low relative to 
the industry

Performance
The Accident Severity Index 
increased to 676 in 2021 due 
to the fatalities at San Jose 
and Aclara

Performance
Total attributable silver 
equivalent metal resources 
increased by 7% in 2021 due 
to new resources discovered 
at Inmaculada and San Jose

Outlook
The all-in sustaining cost 
from operations in 2022 is 
expected to be between 
$18.5 and $19.0 per silver 
equivalent ounce

Outlook
Cash costs performance in 
2022 is expected to be 
dependent on operational 
performance, levels of local 
cost inflation and levels of 
local currency devaluation in 
Argentina and Peru

Outlook
The Company remains 
focused on its ‘Safety 2.0 
Hochschild Safety 
Transformation’ plan, and, 
during 2021, achieved Level 7 
certification of its 
management information 
system from DNV (7th edition)

Outlook
The Company remains 
focused on its ‘Safety 
2.0 Hochschild Safety 
Transformation’ plan, and, 
during 2021, achieved 
Level 7 certification of its 
management information 
system from DNV 
(7th edition)

Outlook
Resource increases in 2022 
will depend on the level of 
ongoing success in finding 
potential resources and the 
ability to turn these 
resources into the inferred 
and measured and 
indicated categories 
through drilling

Risk
Implementing and 
maintaining the annual 
exploration drilling 
programme 

Risk
Operational performance

Risk
Operational performance 
and precious metal prices

Risk
Operational performance, 
precious metal prices 
and costs

Risk
Operational performance, 
precious metal prices, costs, 
levels of financial costs and 
income, tax charge 

Risk
Company profitability

Risk
Operational performance, 
local cost inflation, increases 
in brownfield exploration 
investment 

Risk
Operational performance 
including dilution, grade 
and tonnage control and 
local inflation

Risk
Health and safety risks

Risk
 Health and safety risks

 26  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 27  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationOPER ATING REVIEW

Delivering strong 
operational performance

2021 Highlights

14,746koz

TOTAL GROUP PRODUCTION OF SILVER 
2020: 11,821koz

14,712koz

TOTAL GROUP SILVER PRODUCTION SOLD 
2020: 11,846koz

262.39koz

TOTAL GROUP PRODUCTION OF GOLD 
2020: 207.08koz

260.71koz

TOTAL GROUP GOLD PRODUCTION SOLD 
2020: 207.78koz

Total 2021 Group production

Attributable 2021 Group production

Silver production 
(koz)

Gold production 
(koz)

Total silver 
equivalent (koz)

Total gold 
equivalent (koz)

Silver sold (koz)

Gold sold (koz)

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020

14,746

11,821

262.39

207.08

37,311

29,631

433.85

14,712

260.71

344.54

11,846

207.78

Silver production 
(koz) 

Gold production 
(koz) 

Silver equivalent 
(koz)

Gold equivalent 
(koz)

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020

12,174

9,808

221.42

175.24

31,216

24,879

362.97

289.29

Attributable production includes 100% of all production 
from Inmaculada, Pallancata and 51% from San Jose. 

Total production includes 100% of all production, 
including production attributable to Hochschild’s 
minority shareholder at San Jose. 

Attributable 2022 production  
forecast split 

Operation

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

Total

2022 AISC forecast split 

Operation

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

Total from operations

Oz Au Eq 

218,000-222,000

64,000-68,000

79,000-85,000

360,000-375,000

$/oz Au Eq

1,180-1,210

1,760-1,800

1,370-1,410

1,330-1,370

Moz Ag Eq

15.7-16.0

4.6-4.9

5.7-6.1

26.0-27.0

$/oz Ag Eq

16.4-16.8

24.4-25.0

19.0-19.6

18.5-19.0

Note: 2021 and 2020 equivalent figures 
calculated using the previous Company 
gold/silver ratio of 86x. All 2022 forecasts 
assume the average gold/silver ratio for 
2021 of 72x.

Production
In 2021, Hochschild delivered attributable 
production of 362,972 gold equivalent 
ounces or 31.2 million silver equivalent 
ounces, in line with the Company’s 
forecasts but with the increase versus 
2020 reflecting the impact in 2020 from 
Covid-related disruptions throughout 
the year.

The overall attributable production 
target for 2022 is 360,000-375,000 gold 
equivalent ounces or 26.0-27.0 million 
silver equivalent ounces.

Costs 
All-in sustaining cost from operations in 
2021 was $1,241 per gold equivalent 
ounce or $14.4 per silver equivalent ounce 
(2020: $1,098 per gold equivalent ounce 
or $12.8 per silver equivalent ounce), 
higher than 2020 mainly as a result of 
lower grades at Pallancata and San Jose 
and higher costs and capital expenditure. 
Additional capital expenditure was also 
allocated to Pallancata and Inmaculada 
to develop resources for increasing life 
of mine. These figures do not include 
unabsorbed fixed costs from workers that 
were unable to work during the Covid 19 
crisis of $8.7 million (2020: $44.7 million; 
includes fixed costs without depreciation 
from stoppages and operating at 
reduced capacity), as well as $22.5 million 
(2020: $27.6 million) of exceptional 
Covid-19 response initiatives.

The all-in sustaining cost from operations 
in 2022 is expected to be between $1,330 
and $1,370 per gold equivalent ounce 
(or $18.5 and $19.0 per silver equivalent 
ounce). Grades at Inmaculada are 
expected to be lower due to the inclusion 
into the mine plan of veins discovered 
between 2018 and 2020. It also includes 
a rise in mine development costs at 
Inmaculada and San Jose to access 
veins discovered in 2021 and increase 
reserves at San Jose. 

Where we operate

Operational sites

1 Pallancata  

(Peru)

2

Inmaculada  
(Peru)

3 San Jose 

(Argentina)

1

2

3

 28  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

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Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther InformationOPER ATING REVIEW CONTINUED

1

Inmaculada

Peru

The 100% owned Inmaculada gold/silver 
underground operation is located in the 
Department of Ayacucho in southern Peru. 
It commenced operations in June 2015.

2

Pallancata

Peru

The 100% owned Pallancata silver/gold property 
is located in the Department of Ayacucho in 
southern Peru. Pallancata commenced production 
in 2007. Ore from Pallancata is transported 22 
kilometres to the Selene plant for processing.

SILVER PRODUCED

6,236koz
165.73koz

GOLD PRODUCED

Production
The Inmaculada mine 
delivered gold equivalent 
production of 238,238 
ounces (2020: 176,086 
ounces) in 2021, with the 
increase versus 2020 due to 
the impact of two Covid-19 
related stoppages during 
2020. Grades and gold 
recoveries have proved 
to be higher than 
originally budgeted.

Costs
All-in sustaining costs were 
$971 per gold equivalent 
ounce (2020: $922 per ounce) 
with the increase versus 2020 
due to a considerable portion 
of capital expenditure being 
deferred, including the 
tailings dam expansion, due 
to the stoppages and also 
due to lower scheduled gold 
grades partially offset by 
higher silver grades.

Inmaculada summary 

Year ended 
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 % change

Ore production (tonnes)

1,349,892

948,937

Average silver grade (g/t)

Average gold grade (g/t)

Silver produced (koz)

Gold produced (koz) 

Silver equivalent produced (koz)

Gold equivalent produced (koz)

Silver sold (koz)

Gold sold (koz)

Unit cost ($/t) 

Total cash cost ($/oz Au co-product)

All-in sustaining cost ($/oz Au Eq)

174

4.05

6,236

165.73

20,488

238.24

6,216

165.86

99.2

557

971

154

4.33

4,034

129.17

15,143

176.09

4,020

129.70

95.1

576

922

42

13

(6)

55

28

35

35

55

28

4

(3)

5

Production
In 2021, Pallancata 
produced 4.4 million 
silver equivalent ounces 
(2020: 4.8 million ounces) 
with the reduction versus 
the original forecast 
(5.4-5.6 million ounces) 
due to the effects of  
lower-than-budgeted 
grades in line with the 
current declining 
production profile.

Costs
All-in sustaining costs were 
at $22.8 per silver equivalent 
ounce (2020: $15.6 per ounce). 
Costs were increased versus 
2020 mainly due to the use 
of more conventional mining 
methods in 2021 and 
lower grades. The figure 
also included new capital 
expenditure for development 
work to access newly 
economic resources.

Pallancata summary 

Year ended 
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020

% 
change

Ore production (tonnes)

530,681

519,611

Average silver grade (g/t)

Average gold grade (g/t)

Silver produced (koz)

Gold produced (koz) 

Silver equivalent produced (koz)

Gold equivalent produced (koz)

Silver sold (koz)

Gold sold (koz)

Unit cost ($/t) 

Total cash cost ($/oz Ag co-product)

All-in sustaining cost ($/oz Ag Eq)

212

0.84

3,261

13.05

4,382

50.96

3,263

13.03

124.8

19.2

22.8

247

0.87

3,679

12.93

4,790

55.70

3,654

12.80

101.2

13.1

15.6

2

(14)

(3)

(11)

1

(9)

(9)

(11)

2

23

47

46

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationOPER ATING REVIEW CONTINUED

EXPLOR ATION

3

San Jose

Argentina

The San Jose silver/gold mine is located in 
Argentina, in the province of Santa Cruz, 
1,750 kilometres south west of Buenos Aires. 
San Jose commenced production in 2007. 
Hochschild holds a controlling interest of 
51% and is the mine operator. The 
remaining 49% is owned by McEwen 
Mining Inc.

SILVER PRODUCED

5,250koz
83.62koz

GOLD PRODUCED

Costs
All-in sustaining costs were 
at $16.7 per silver equivalent 
ounce (2020: $14.6 per 
ounce) with the rise driven 
by higher production 
costs, increased mine 
development capex, higher 
exploration expenses 
and the purchase of 
new mining equipment.

Production
San Jose’s 2021 total 
production was 12.4 
million silver equivalent 
ounces (2020: 9.7 million 
ounces) with the 
increase versus 2020 
reflecting Covid-related 
stoppages, which 
impacted the 2020 
result. Grades were 
lower than budgeted for 
the year but practically 
offset by higher than 
expected tonnage.

San Jose summary 

Ore production (tonnes)

Average silver grade (g/t)

Average gold grade (g/t)

Silver produced (koz)

Gold produced (koz) 

Silver equivalent produced (koz)

Gold equivalent produced (koz)

Silver sold (koz)

Gold sold (koz)

Unit cost ($/t) 

Total cash cost ($/oz Ag co-product)

All-in sustaining cost ($/oz Ag Eq)

Year ended 
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 % change

539,229

401,202

344

5.47

5,250

83.62

12,440

144.66

5,233

81.83

229.0

13.3

16.7

357

5.63

4,108

64.99

9,697

112.76

4,172

65.28

199.4

11.1

14.6

34

(4)

(3)

28

29

28

28

25

25

15

20

14

Inmaculada
In 2021, the exploration team carried out 9,169m of potential 
drilling and 39,424m of resource drilling mostly testing the newly 
discovered Angela North, Juliana North East and Josefa 
structures. The key results are below:

Vein 

Results (potential/resource drilling)

IMS21-056: 5.9m @ 2.5g/t Au & 99g/t Ag

IMS21-062: 9.7m @ 91.7g/t Au & 3,013g/t Ag

IMS21-063: 2.1m @ 6.5g/t Au & 217g/t Ag

IMS21-065: 7.0m @ 3.7g/t Au & 198g/t Ag

IMS21-066: 2.4m @ 4.3g/t Au & 386g/t Ag

IMS21-067: 1.0m @ 2.4g/t Au & 234g/t Ag 

IMS21-070: 1.5m @ 2.1g/t Au & 156g/t Ag

IMS21-071: 1.4m @ 3.6g/t Au & 123g/t Ag

IMS21-072: 2.0m @ 1.8g/t Au & 109g/t Ag

Pallancata
At Pallancata, 19,390m of potential drilling was carried out at 
the Pallancata vein, the Falla NW, Pablo, Pablo Piso and Marco 
vein structures and then later in the year at the Mirian, San 
Javier and the continuation of the Pallancata vein to the north 
west. In addition, there was drilling at the Pablo II target which 
intercepted quartz veins with grade and in the final quarter 
there were intercepts in quartz-sulphide veins, Laura and 
Demian. Key results are below:

Vein 

Pablo II

Mirian

Norca

Results (potential/resource drilling)

DLEP-A64: 2.7m @ 0.4g/t Au & 93g/t Ag

DLEP-A65: 0.9m @ 0.7g/t Au & 222g/t Ag

DLVC-A62: 3.4m @ 1.4g/t Au & 314g/t Ag

DLVC-A62: 1.0m @ 1.0g/t Au & 475g/t Ag

San Javier

DLVC-A62: 1.1m @ 0.6g/t Au & 473g/t Ag

Angela North

IMS21-075: 3.1m @ 5.5g/t Au & 341g/t Ag

Pallancata NW

DLPL-A969: 0.9m @ 1.6g/t Au & 181g/t Ag

Laura

DLLAU-A01: 1.9m @ 1.5g/t Au & 473g/t Ag

Including : 1.2m @ 2.1g/t Au & 655g/t Ag

DLLAU-A03: 2.5m @ 0.8g/t Au & 332g/t Ag

Including : 1.1m @ 1.1g/t Au & 537g/t Ag

DLLOL-A01: 6.9m @ 0.7g/t Au & 208g/t Ag

Including : 1.5m @ 1.2g/t Au & 336g/t Ag

DLEP-A66: 1.3m @ 2.6g/t Au & 696g/t Ag

Demian

DLLAU-A03: 2.6m @ 1.0g/t Au & 307g/t Ag

Including : 1.1m @ 1.8g/t Au & 602g/t Ag

In Q1 2022, the schedule consists of 5,000m of potential 
drilling in the Laura-Demian veins as well as the Paola, Rina 4, 
Stockwork Veta Juliet, Stockwork Pallancata Central and Gracia 
veins. Other main targets for the year are expected to be Pablo 
West, Escarpa and Luisa.

San Jose
During 2021, the team carried out 11,455m of potential 
drilling around the Saavedra area in the Escondida, Betania, 
Isabel, Jimena, Agostina and Lucy veins as well as the North 
Telken area close to Cerro Negro, 6,673m of resource drilling 
was also executed targeting Escondida, and also in the area 
close to the current mine in the Amelia, Huevos Verdes, Olivia 
and Karina veins.

IMS21-077: 2.7m @ 1.4g/t Au & 103g/t Ag

IMS21-078: 9.1m @ 14.1g/t Au & 424g/t Ag

IMS21-087: 5.6m @ 12.6g/t Au & 494g/t Ag

IMS21-069: 1.2m @ 7.1g/t Au & 533g/t Ag

IMS21-078: 9.7m @ 14.1g/t Au & 424g/t Ag

IMS21-085: 3.5m @ 5.2g/t Au & 149g/t Ag

IMS21-088: 3.7m @ 5.9g/t Au & 304g/t Ag

IMS21-089: 2.1m @ 1.9g/t Au & 109g/t Ag

IMS21-100: 1.4m @ 3.2g/t Au & 171g/t Ag

IMS21-079: 2.0m @ 12.8g/t Au & 527g/t Ag

IMS21-088: 1.4m @ 6.8g/t Au & 292g/t Ag

IMS21-174: 4.9m @ 11.3g/t Au & 33g/t Ag

IMS21-182: 1.2m @ 50.8g/t Au & 81g/t Ag

IMS21-184: 3.5m @ 18.0g/t Au & 977g/t Ag

IMS21-127: 1.0m @ 1.8g/t Au & 259g/t Ag

IMS21-127: 2.8m @ 2.2g/t Au & 115g/t Ag

IMS21-127: 0.9m @ 2.8g/t Au & 196g/t Ag

IMS21-149: 1.5m @ 8.7g/t Au & 62g/t Ag

IMS21-149: 0.9m @ 3.6g/t Au & 111g/t Ag

IMS21-155: 3.2m @ 7.5g/t Au & 774g/t Ag

IMS21-156: 1.6m @ 3.2g/t Au & 33g/t Ag

IMS21-156: 1.6m @ 3.2g/t Au & 31g/t Ag

IMS21-156: 2.1m @ 13.8g/t Au & 316g/t Ag

IMS21-150: 2.4m @ 20.7g/t Au & 1,255g/t Ag

IMS21-151: 1.9m @ 2.0g/t Au & 141g/t Ag

IMS21-058: 2.4m @ 1.3g/t Au & 119g/t Ag

IMS21-174: 1.3m @ 3.3g/t Au & 172g/t Ag

IMS21-155: 1.1m @ 17.6g/t Au & 1,149g/t Ag

IMS21-155: 1.2m @ 4.3g/t Au & 70g/t Ag

IMS21-155: 7.8m @ 2.0g/t Au & 70g/t Ag

IMS21-155: 1.0m @ 3.6g/t Au & 114g/t Ag

IMS21-198: 2.3m @ 2.3g/t Au & 312g/t Ag

IMS21-200: 4.9m @ 3.8g/t Au & 311g/t Ag

Juliana

Josefa

In 2021, 852,000 gold equivalent ounces have been added to the 
Inmaculada inferred resource base at a gold equivalent grade of 
7.5 grams per tonne.

During the first quarter of 2022, the programme will focus on 
2,100m of potential drilling in the west of the Angela North vein 
and in the north of the Eduardo vein zone. Other key targets for 
2022 are Josefa, Juliana NE, Minascucho, Anomalia III and 
Anomalia IV.

 32  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 33  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationEXPLOR ATION CONTINUED

Vein 

Isabel

Ramal Isabel 1

Results (potential drilling)

SJD-2210: 1.2m @ 4.9g/t Au & 552g/t Ag

SJD-2211: 1.0m @ 3.7g/t Au & 376g/t Ag

SJD-2241: 1.0m @ 8.2g/t Au & 499g/t Ag

SJM-179: 1.3m @ 3.7g/t Au & 586g/t Ag

SJD-2210: 0.8m @ 2.2g/t Au & 772g/t Ag

SJD-2241: 0.8m @ 1.6g/t Au & 337g/t Ag

Ramal Isabel 2

SJD-2241: 2.0m @ 1.1g/t Au & 309g/t Ag

SJM-529: 2.0m @ 62.5g/t Au & 5,571g/t Ag

SJD-2267: 1.4m @ 18.4g/t Au & 1,879g/t Ag

Escondida

SJD-2273: 1.9m @ 2.5g/t Au & 284g/t Ag

Betania

SJD-2280: 1.2m @ 2.4g/t Au & 317g/t Ag

SJD-2280: 2.4m @ 2.7g/t Au & 305g/t Ag

SJD-2328: 2.0m @ 5.5g/t Au & 6g/t Ag

SJD-2351: 1.1m @ 12.6g/t Au & 7g/t Ag

SJD-2371: 6.3m @ 44.4g/t Au & 34g/t Ag

SJD-2378: 1.9m @ 7.3g/t Au & 81g/t Ag

SJD-2408: 2.6m @ 5.4g/t Au & 10g/t Ag

SJD-2414: 3.4m @ 6.9g/t Au & 36g/t Ag

Sig Betania

SJD-2408: 1.0m @ 6.1g/t Au & 11g/t Ag

SJD-2353: 2.4m @ 3.8g/t Au & 40g/t Ag

SJD-2372: 1.9m @ 14.5g/t Au & 342g/t Ag

SJD-2378: 2.0m @ 8.5g/t Au & 24g/t Ag

Jimena

SJD-2399: 1.4m @ 3.1g/t Au & 157g/t Ag

SJD-2406: 0.8m @ 2.6g/t Au & 482g/t Ag

SJD-2410: 6.4m @ 7.1g/t Au & 56g/t Ag

SJD-2418: 2.6m @ 3.1g/t Au & 12g/t Ag

Agostina

SJD-2378: 2.8m @ 5.1g/t Au & 13g/t Ag

Given the increased political risk in Peru and Chile, the 
greenfield team has focused its exploration strategy primarily 
in North America to diversify geographic risk. Four new projects 
have been optioned during the year from EMX Royalties in Idaho 
and Nevada as well as the Red Rock prospect in Nevada from a 
private owner.

SNIP
Project description
Snip was acquired by Skeena from Barrick Gold Corp. in July 
2017 and consists of one mining lease and eight mineral claims 
totalling approximately 4,546 hectares in the Liard Mining 
Division and is situated in Tahltan Territory. The former Snip 
mine produced approximately one million ounces of gold from 
1991 until 1999 at an average gold grade of 27.5 g/t. Since then, 
the project has been improved with the recent construction of 
nearby infrastructure (paved highway, hydro-electric facilities 
and ocean port facilities) and substantially higher gold prices. 

Underground drilling recommenced in late 2017 to explore 
for additional mineralised shoots in a large shear structure. 
A maiden mineral resource was announced in July 2020 
including 244,000 ounces of gold in the indicated category at 
an average grade of 14.0 g/t and 402,000 ounces of gold in the 
inferred category at an average grade of 13.3 g/t. A Technical 
Report was issued in September 2020.

Subsequent drill campaigns, totalling approximately 32,000 
metres, successfully:

 – upgraded areas of existing Inferred resources from the Mineral 
Resource Estimate to the Measured and Indicated categories;

SJD-2329: 3.0m @ 13.0g/t Au & 1,740g/t Ag

 – expanded the resource; and 

Amelia

SJD-2342: 4.3m @ 14.9g/t Au & 1,381g/t Ag

 – delineated additional mineralisation in previously unexplored 

SJD-2361: 0.9m @ 3.4g/t Au & 323g/t Ag

areas of the near-mine environment.

Tensional Huevos 
Verdes N

Olivia

SJD-2346: 1.8m @ 6.7g/t Au & 582g/t Ag

SJD-2385: 0.8m @ 2.6g/t Au & 196g/t Ag

SJM-547: 2.0m @ 7.8g/t Au & 366g/t Ag

In 2021 as a whole 12.7 million silver equivalent ounces have 
been added to the San Jose resource base at a silver equivalent 
grade of 881 grams per tonne.

The drilling plan for the first quarter of 2022 will focus on the 
western zone of the mine in the Olivia NW and Olivia NS 
structures. At Saavedra, an environmental permit is due before 
the programme can resume.

GREENFIELD 
Hochschild’s strategy with regards to its greenfield exploration 
programme is to maintain and drill a balanced portfolio of 
early-stage to advanced opportunities using a combination of 
earn-in joint ventures, private placements with junior exploration 
companies and the staking of properties. 

Drilling in 2021 was carried out at: the Sarape project owned 
by Orogen in Mexico; the Cooke Mountain gold project owned 
by Adamera Minerals Corp in Washington, United States; the 
Condor project owned by a private company in Peru; and the 
Currant project owned by Da Venda Gold in Nevada, United 
States. Sarape was subsequently discarded. In addition, 
permitting work to drill in the near future is also being completed 
at the SW Pipe project owned by NV Gold Corp also in Nevada 
with drilling set to begin before the end of H1 2022. Permitting 
work has also continued at the Corvinon and Pampamali 
projects in Peru. 

In September 2018, Skeena granted Hochschild an option to 
earn a 60% interest in Snip over three years by spending twice 
the amount Skeena had spent since it originally optioned the 
property from Barrick in March 2016. Up until the exercise of the 
option, Skeena estimated that it had incurred approximately 
C$50 million of expenditure on the project.

Terms of the option
The exercise of the HOC Option was also subject to the 
following terms:

 – Hochschild must incur no less than C$7.5 million in exploration 

or development expenditures on Snip in each year of the 
Option Period (which, provided that Hochschild has incurred 
at least C$22.5 million on the project, can be extended by a 
further year on payment of US$1 million to Skeena);

 – On complying with the above, Hochschild must provide 60% of 
the financial assurance required by governmental authorities 
for the Snip mining properties; and

 – Hochschild can terminate the HOC Option at any time (with no 
liability to complete the aggregate spending requirement), but 
must make a cash payment for any shortfall in the minimum 
annual spend (or pro-rated minimum annual spend if 
terminated after the first anniversary of the notice exercising 
the HOC Option).

2022 plans
In 2022, Hochschild plans on continuing the drill campaigns 
and initiating selected studies and testwork. The Company 
plans on drilling approximately 10,000 metres from surface and 
underground during the year. Approximately 70% of planned 
metres will be for infill and twin holes, and 30% for exploration.

A Pre-Feasibility Study will be undertaken during the year, 
using existing resources and results from the 2022 programme, 
to trade-off a series of mining and mineral processing 
opportunities identified at the project, and assess a potential 
project development route to move to a Feasibility Study.

Posse NI 43-101 Proven and Probable Reserves

Proven

Probable

Proven and Probable

Tonnes
(Mt)

11.8

12.0

23.8

Au
(g/t)

1.20

1.16

1.18

Au
(koz)

456

446

902

Posse NI 43-101 Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

AMARILLO GOLD
On 30 November 2021, Hochschild announced that it 
had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Amarillo 
Gold Corporation at a net acquisition cost of an estimated 
C$135 million.

Measured

Indicated

Measured and Indicated

Inferred1

Tonnes
(Mt)

14

19

32

0.1

Au
(g/t)

1.2

1.1

1.1

0.6

Au
(koz)

510

640

1,200

1.7

Exploration potential overview
Hochschild has identified compelling near-mine and regional 
exploration opportunities for Posse and the Mara Rosa property. 
Posse is open down plunge to the southwest, providing potential 
to extend the mine life near the existing pit shell. There is also an 
opportunity to define multiple satellite deposits along the 10km 
Posse structural trend including the Araras, Speti 24 and 
Pastinho priority targets. Recent drilling has identified Pastinho 
as a promising target with similar geological characteristics to 
Posse and multiple parallel gold structures extending from the 
surface to approximately 200m of vertical depth while 
remaining open. In addition to the 2,500 hectares of mining 
concessions containing the Posse deposit and the 6,000 
hectares of exploration concessions on the Posse structural 
trend, Hochschild will acquire an additional 59,000 hectares of 
regional exploration concessions on the Mara Rosa property.

VOLCAN
On 7 December 2021, Hochschild announced the appointment 
of Greg McCunn as CEO of the Volcan gold project in Chile. 
Concurrently, the Board has approved a work programme for 
2022 which includes re-establishing operations in the Copiapo 
province, updating the mineral resource estimate and exploring 
ways of optimising the project development plan which are 
expected to be outlined in a new technical report.

Hochschild is also expected to restructure the project into a 
newly incorporated Canadian company (100%-owned by the 
Company) named ‘Tiernan Gold’. In parallel with completion of 
the technical report, the Company will be evaluating strategic 
alternatives for Tiernan Gold.

The Transaction constitutes a Class 1 Transaction under 
the UK Listing Rules due to the level of Posse’s Proven and 
Probable Reserves relative to those of Hochschild. As such, the 
Transaction is subject to Hochschild shareholder approval as 
well as the approvals of Amarillo shareholders, the Canadian 
court, regulatory authorities and the satisfaction of certain 
other customary conditions. The Transaction has been 
unanimously recommended by the board of directors of 
Amarillo and has the full support of Amarillo’s major 
shareholders, Baccarat Trade Investments Ltd. and Eric Sprott. 
The Hochschild Board believes the Transaction is in the best 
interests of Hochschild and unanimously intends to recommend 
that shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction. Completion 
is expected to occur towards the end of this quarter.

Posse overview
Posse is an open pit gold project located in Mara Rosa in the 
mining friendly jurisdiction of Goiás State, Brazil. The brownfield 
project benefits from existing infrastructure and attractive 
costs. Construction of certain infrastructure is underway, with 
the project having received several of the necessary installation 
licences from state authorities in Goias during 2021 and 2022, 
including the licences to install the power line and several mine 
components (e.g. waste piles, low grade deposit). Hochschild has 
revised the Posse mine plan contained in the August 2020 
Definitive Feasibility Study, and will include further details in a 
mineral expert’s report to be incorporated in the shareholder 
circular to be issued in the next few weeks.

Hochschild’s Posse mine plan forecasts
Initial Mine Life

10 years

Average Annual 
Production

~80koz Au (~100koz Au over the first four years)

Average Annual AISC

US$750/oz Au – US$850/oz Au

Initial Capex

US$180m – US$200m

Sustaining Capex

~US$40m

After-Tax NPV5% at 
US$1,600/oz Au

After-Tax IRR at  
US$1,600/oz Au

After-Tax NPV5% at 
US$1,800/oz Au

After-Tax IRR at  
US$1,800/oz Au

US$150m – US$160m

18% – 20%

US$200m – US$240m

24% – 26%

 34  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 35  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

1  Based on limited drilling at depth.

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL REVIEW

A strong financial 
performance in 2021

Eduardo Noriega 
Chief Financial Officer

$811m

2021 REVENUE

$383m

ADJUSTED EBITDA

$67m

NET PROFIT

The reporting currency of Hochschild Mining 

PLC is US dollars. In discussions of financial 
performance, the Group removes the effect 
of exceptional items, unless otherwise 

indicated, and in the income statement results are 
shown both pre and post such exceptional items. 
Exceptional items are those items which, due to their 
nature or the expected infrequency of the events 
giving rise to them, need to be disclosed separately 
on the face of the income statement to enable a 
better understanding of the financial performance 
of the Group and to facilitate comparison with 
prior years. 

Adjusted EBITDA 
increased by 41% to 
$382.8 million mainly 
due to the increase 
in revenue resulting 
from the rebound in 
production following 
2020 operational 
stoppages...”

Revenue
Gross revenue1
Gross revenue from continuing operations increased by 29% to $831.0 million in 2021 (2020: $641.5 million) mainly due to the 
rebound to a normal year of operation following the production stoppages during 2020 resulting from the Covid-19 crisis. In 
addition, there was a strong rise in the average realised silver price.

In February 2021, the Company hedged 4 million ounces of 2021 silver production at $27.10 per ounce and 4 million ounces 
of 2022 silver production at $26.86 per ounce. On 10 November 2021, the Company hedged 3.3 million ounces of 2023 silver 
production at $25.00 per ounce. During the year ended 31 December 2021, 4.0 million silver ounces were hedged at $27.10 
per ounce, boosting the realised price.

Gold
Gross revenue from gold in 2021 increased to $464.3 million (2020: $376.9 million) due to the 25% rise in gold sales resulting from the 
rebound of production versus the Covid-19 impacted 2020. This was partially offset by a 2% fall in the average realised gold price. 

Silver
Gross revenue from silver increased in 2021 to $366.2 million (2020: $264.5 million) due to a 24% rise in silver sales resulting from the 
rebound of production versus the Covid-19 impacted 2020. This was significantly augmented by a 12% rise in the average realised 
silver price.

Gross average realised sales prices 
The following table provides figures for average realised prices (before the deduction of commercial discounts) and ounces sold for 
2021 and 2020:

Average realised prices 

Silver ounces sold (koz) 

Avg. realised silver price ($/oz)

Gold ounces sold (koz)

Avg. realised gold price ($/oz)

Year ended 
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

14,712

24.9

260.71

1,781

11,846

22.3

207.77

1,814

Commercial discounts
Commercial discounts refer to refinery treatment charges, refining fees and payable deductions for processing concentrate, and 
are deducted from gross revenue on a per tonne basis (treatment charge), per ounce basis (refining fees) or as a percentage of 
gross revenue (payable deductions). In 2021, the Group recorded commercial discounts of $19.6 million (2020: $19.7 million) in line 
with 2020. The ratio of commercial discounts to gross revenue in 2021 was 2% (2020: 3%). 

Net revenue
Net revenue was $811.4 million (2020: $621.8 million), comprising net gold revenue of $457.8 million (2020: $370.1 million) and net 
silver revenue of $353.1 million (2020: $251.6 million). In 2021, gold accounted for 56% and silver 44% of the Company’s consolidated 
net revenue (2020: gold 60% and silver 40%).

Reconciliation of gross revenue by mine to Group net revenue 

$000

Silver revenue

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

Commercial discounts

Net silver revenue

Gold revenue

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

Commercial discounts

Net gold revenue

Other revenue

Net revenue

1 

Includes revenue from services.

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

% change

156,675

82,727

126,790

(13,088)

353,104

296,160

22,989

145,187

(6,517)

457,819

464

811,387

84,651

83,405

96,472

(12,932)

251,596

230,255

24,154

122,483

(6,810)

370,082

149

621,827

85

(1)

31

1

40

29

(5)

19

(4)

24

211

30

 36  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 37  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Cost of sales
Total cost of sales before exceptional items was $487.8 million in 2021 (2020: $397.8 million). The direct production cost excluding 
depreciation was higher at $323.4 million (2020: $218.2 million) mainly due to the Covid-19 related stoppages affecting 2020. Abnormal 
costs during the phases of reduced production capacity were $8.7 million (2020: $46.5 million). Depreciation in production cost 
increased to $148.8 million (2020: $113.1 million) due to higher extracted volumes across all operations, again mainly due to the 
stoppages affecting 2020. Unallocated fixed costs from workers that were unable to work during the Covid-19 crisis were $8.7 million 
(2020: $46.5 million; includes fixed costs from stoppages and operating at reduced capacity), and are shown separately below.

$000

Direct production cost excluding depreciation 

Depreciation in production cost

Other items and workers’ profit sharing

Fixed costs during operational stoppages and reduced capacity

Change in inventories

Cost of sales

Fixed costs during operational stoppages and reduced capacity 

$000

Personnel

Third-party services

Supplies

Depreciation and amortisation

Others

Cost of sales

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

% change

323,418

148,842

6,512

8,680

320

487,772

218,212

113,146

2,632

46,480

17,323

397,793

48

32

147

(81)

(98)

23

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

% change

7,607

995

–

–

78

8,680

32,117

8,948

1,698

1,818

1,899

46,480

(76)

(89)

–

–

(96)

(81)

Unit cost per tonne 
The Company reported unit cost per tonne at its operations of $133.5 per tonne in 2021, an 11% increase versus 2020 ($119.9 
per tonne). This was due to: higher costs at Inmaculada resulting from using more semi-mechanised mining methods with a higher 
extraction cost; higher costs at Pallancata due to the use of more conventional mining methods; and higher costs at San Jose from 
expenditure related to the accessing and mining of incremental resources.

Unit cost per tonne by operation (including royalties)2

Operating unit ($/tonne)

Peru

Inmaculada

Pallancata

Argentina

San Jose 

Total 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

% change

106.5

99.2

124.8

229.0

133.5

97.5

95.1

101.2

199.4

119.9

9

4

23

15

11

Cash costs
Cash costs include cost of sales, commercial deductions and selling expenses before exceptional items, less depreciation included 
in cost of sales. 

Cash cost reconciliation3 
Year ended 31 Dec 2021

$000 unless otherwise indicated

Group cash cost

(+) Cost of sales4

(-) Depreciation and amortisation in cost of sales

(+) Selling expenses

(+) Commercial deductions5

Gold

Silver

Revenue

Gold

Silver

Ounces sold

Gold

Silver

Group cash cost ($/oz)

Co product Au

Co product Ag

By product Au

By product Ag

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

$000 unless otherwise indicated

Group cash cost

(+) Cost of sales6

(-) Depreciation and amortisation in cost of sales

(+) Selling expenses

(+) Commercial deductions7

Gold

Silver

Revenue

Gold

Silver

Ounces sold

Gold

Silver

Group cash cost ($/oz)

Co product Au

Co product Ag

By product Au

By product Ag

San Jose

150,663

172,231

Total 

372,333

479,092

(49,195)

(145,482)

Inmaculada

Pallancata

141,316

213,812

(76,372)

616

3,260

2,164

1,096

452,835

296,160

156,675

165.9

6,216

557

7.9

(99)

(25.3)

80,354

93,049

(19,915)

620

6,600

1,034

5,566

99,116

21,955

77,161

13.0

3,263

1,366

19.2

(182)

17.6

14,195

13,432

5,717

7,715

258,972

139,704

119,268

81.8

5,233

993

13.3

289

1.0

15,431

23,292

8,915

14,377

810,923

457,819

353,104

260.7

14,712

806

11.0

19

(6.4)

Total 

271,435

351,313

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

 102,135 

 154,950 

 (55,338)

 417 

 2,106 

117

1,989

 314,906 

 230,255 

 84,651 

 129.7 

 4,020 

 576 

 6.8 

 119 

 (31.9)

 62,181 

 83,272 

 (28,608)

 632 

 6,885 

1,102

5,783

 100,674 

 23,052 

 77,622 

 12.8 

 3,654 

 1,112 

 13.1 

 (1,658)

 10.4 

 107,119 

 113,091 

 (30,716)

(114,662)

 11,705 

 13,039 

5,715

7,324

 206,098 

 116,775 

 89,323 

12,754

22,030

6,934

15,096

621,678

370,082

251,596

 65.3 

 4,172 

207.8

11,846

 930 

 11.1 

 160 

 (3.7)

778

9.3

23

(8.9)

Co-product cash cost per ounce is the cash cost allocated to the primary metal (allocation based on proportion of revenue), divided 
by the ounces sold of the primary metal. By-product cash cost per ounce is the total cash cost minus revenue and commercial 
discounts of the by-product divided by the ounces sold of the primary metal.

2  Unit cost per tonne is calculated by dividing mine and treatment production costs (excluding depreciation) by extracted and treated tonnage respectively.

7  Includes commercial discounts (from the sales of concentrate) and commercial discounts from the sale of dore.

 38  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 39  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

3  Cash costs are calculated to include cost of sales, commercial discounts and selling expenses items less depreciation included in cost of sales. 

4  Does not include fixed costs during operational stoppages and reduced capacity of $8.7 million.

5  Includes commercial discounts (from the sales of concentrate) and commercial discounts from the sale of dore.

6  Does not include fixed costs during operational stoppages and reduced capacity of $46.5 million.

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

All-in sustaining cost reconciliation8
All-in sustaining cash costs per silver equivalent ounce

Year ended 31 Dec 2021

$000 unless otherwise indicated

Inmaculada

Pallancata

(+) Direct production cost excluding depreciation

(+) Other items and workers’ profit sharing in cost of sales

(+) Operating and exploration capex for units9

(+) Brownfield exploration expenses 

(+) Administrative expenses (excl depreciation)10

(+) Royalties and special mining tax11

Sub-total

Au ounces produced

Ag ounces produced (000s)

Ounces produced (Ag Eq 000s oz)

Sub-total ($/oz Ag Eq)

(+) Commercial deductions

(+) Selling expenses

Sub-total

Au ounces sold

Ag ounces sold (000s)

Ounces sold (Ag Eq 000s oz)

Sub-total ($/oz Ag Eq)

All-in sustaining costs ($/oz Ag Eq)

All-in sustaining costs ($/oz Au Eq)

134,110

3,489

76,512

3,276

4,909

5,190

227,486

165,730

6,236

20,488

11.1

3,260

616

3,876

165,857

6,216

20,480

0.2

11.3

971

66,859

3,023

14,526

5,993

1,074

1,136

92,612

13,045

3,261

4,382

21.1

6,600

620

7,220

13,027

3,263

4,383

1.6

22.8

1,959

San Jose

122,449

–

41,325

9,653

6,104

–

179,532

83,615

5,250

12,440

14.4

13,432

14,195

27,627

81,831

5,233

12,270

2.3

16.7

1,435

Main 
operations

Corporate & 
others

323,418

6,512

132,363

18,923

12,087

6,326

499,629

262,390

14,746

37,311

13.4

23,292

15,431

38,723

260,714

14,712

37,133

1.0

14.4

1,241

–

–

1,735

3,658

38,782

5,916

50,092

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

– 

– 

– 

1.3

115

Total

323,418

6,512

134,098

22,581

50,870

12,242

549,721

262,390

14,746

37,311

14.7

23,292

15,431

38,723

260,714

14,712

37,133

1.0

15.8

1,357

Not included in the figure are unabsorbed fixed costs from workers that were unable to work during the Covid 19 crisis of $8.7 million 
(2020: $44.7 million; includes fixed costs without depreciation from stoppages and operating at reduced capacity), as well as $22.5 
million (2020: $27.6 million) of exceptional Covid-19 response initiatives. These effects would have an impact on the AISC from main 
operations of $0.2/oz Ag Eq and $0.6/oz Ag Eq respectively (2020: $1.5/oz Ag Eq and $0.9/oz Ag Eq respectively).

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

$000 unless otherwise indicated

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

Main 
operations

Corporate & 
others

(+) Direct production cost excluding depreciation

(+) Other items and workers’ profit sharing in cost of sales

(+) Operating and exploration capex for units12

(+) Brownfield exploration expenses 

(+) Administrative expenses (excl depreciation)

(+) Royalties and special mining tax13

Sub-total

Au ounces produced

Ag ounces produced (000s)

Ounces produced (Ag Eq 000s oz)

Sub-total ($/oz Ag Eq)

(+) Commercial deductions

(+) Selling expenses

Sub-total

Au ounces sold

Ag ounces sold (000s)

Ounces sold (Ag Eq 000s oz)

Sub-total ($/oz Ag Eq)

All-in sustaining costs ($/oz Ag Eq)

All-in sustaining costs ($/oz Au Eq)

86,874

1,383

62,128

2,526

3,768

3,098

159,777

129,173

4,034

15,143

10.6

2,106

417

2,523

129,697

4,020

15,174

0.2

10.7

922

51,534

 79,804 

 218,212 

1,249

7,506

4,652

1,205

990

67,136

12,925

3,679

4,790

14.0

6,885

632

7,517

12,798

3,654

4,754

1.6

15.6

1,341

 – 

 21,681 

 9,720 

 5,590 

 – 

 116,795 

 64,987 

 4,108 

 9,697 

 12.0 

 13,039 

 11,705 

 24,744 

 65,280 

 4,172 

 9,786 

 2.5 

 14.6 

 1,253 

 2,632 

 91,315 

 16,898 

 10,563 

 4,088 

 343,707 

 207,085 

 11,821 

 29,631 

 11.6 

 22,030 

 12,754 

 34,784 

 207,776 

 11,846 

 29,715 

 1.2 

 12.8 

 1,098 

–

–

447

3,745

30,533

3,119

37,592

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.3

109

Total

 218,212 

 2,632 

 91,762 

 20,643 

 41,096 

 7,206 

 381,299 

 207,085 

 11,821 

 29,631 

 12.9 

 22,030 

 12,754 

 34,784 

 207,776 

 11,846 

 29,715 

 1.2 

 14.0 

 1,208 

8  Calculated using a gold/silver ratio of 86:1 in line with 2020.

9  Operating capex from San Jose does not include capitalised DD&A resulting from mine equipment utilised for mine developments.

10 Administrative expenses does not include expenses from Aclara Resources Inc ($179,000).

11  Royalties arising from revised royalty tax schemes introduced in 2011 and included in income tax line.

12 Operating capex from San Jose does not include capitalised DD&A resulting from mine equipment utilised for mine developments.

Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses were increased by 20% to $51.9 million (2020: $43.3 million) due to increased professional fees of $3.7 
million mainly linked to M&A transactions, tax penalties of $1.5 million and higher legal workers’ profit sharing provisions in Peru 
of $1.3 million.

Exploration expenses
In 2021, exploration expenses increased to $39.9 million (2020: $32.8 million) due to the 2020 reduced execution of the greenfield 
and brownfield programme as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown. 

In addition, the Group capitalises part of its brownfield exploration, which mostly relates to costs incurred converting potential 
resource to the Inferred or Measured and Indicated categories. In 2021, the Company capitalised $6.1 million relating to 
brownfield exploration compared to $1.7 million in 2020, bringing the total investment in exploration for 2021 to $46.0 million 
(2020: $34.5 million). 

Selling expenses
Selling expenses were increased to $15.4 million (2020: $12.8 million) mainly due to higher volume sold and higher prices, principally 
due to the fact that in Argentina, which levies export taxes, the San Jose operation was affected by production stoppages in 2020.

Other income/expenses
Other income before exceptional items was higher at $8.4 million (2020: $3.6 million) mainly due to increased gains on the sale of 
equipment ($3.3 million) and $1.0 million of higher income on the recovery of expenses and provisions.

Other expenses before exceptional items were higher at $44.6 million (2020: $28.9 million) with the increase mainly due to: a 
voluntary redundancy programme in Argentina of $8.3 million; mine provision increases of $22.1 million (2020: $16.1 million); and 
higher corporate social responsibility contribution in Argentina of $3.9 million (2020: $2.7 million).

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 41% to $382.8 million (2020: $270.9 million) mainly due to the increase in revenue resulting from the 
rebound in production following 2020 operational stoppages due to the Covid-19 crisis. In addition, there was a significant increase 
in the average realised silver price. These effects were partially offset by higher production costs and lower gold prices.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, net finance costs, foreign exchange 
losses and income tax plus non-cash items (depreciation and amortisation and changes in mine closure provisions) and exploration 
expenses other than personnel and other exploration related fixed expenses.

$000 unless otherwise indicated

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, net finance income/(cost), foreign exchange 
loss and income tax

Depreciation and amortisation in cost of sales

Depreciation and amortisation in administrative expenses and other expenses

Exploration expenses

Personnel and other exploration related fixed expenses

Other non-cash income, net14

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA margin

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

% change

179,438

107,837

145,482

116,480

2,184

39,848

(7,099)

22,958

382,811

47%

2,158

32,795

(6,486)

18,134

270,918

44%

66

25

1

22

9

27

41

14  Adjusted EBITDA has been presented before the effect of significant non-cash (income)/expenses related to changes in mine closure provisions which were $22.1 million in 2021 

13 Royalties arising from revised royalty tax schemes introduced in 2011 and included in income tax line.

and $16.1 million in 2020, and the write-off of property, plant and equipment.

 40  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 41  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Finance income 
Finance income before exceptional items of $3.9 million decreased from 2020 ($4.2 million) mainly due to the net effect of: a 
decrease of $1.1 million due to change in the fair value of the Group’s holding in Americas Gold & Silver Corporation shares received 
as payment for the San Felipe project; lower interest on deposits of $0.3 million; and lower income on discount of credits of $0.3 
million. This was partially offset by higher income due to the unwinding of the discount on mine rehabilitation of $1.6 million.

Finance costs
Finance costs before exceptional items increased from $23.6 million in 2020 to $32.1 million in 2021, principally due to: the 
cancellation of the Libor rate swap of the refinanced $200 million medium-term loan ($3.8 million); the refinancing cost of the 
medium-term loan ($1.8 million); and foreign exchange transaction costs to acquire $18.1 million dollars in Argentina, which resulted 
in a loss of $15.3 million (2020: $12.8 million).

Foreign exchange (losses)/gains
The Group recognised a foreign exchange loss of $2.4 million (2020: $2.6 million loss) as a result of exposures in currencies other 
than the functional currency – the Peruvian sol and the Argentinean peso, which both depreciated in 2021.

Income tax
The Company’s pre-exceptional income tax charge was $81.3 million (2020: $49.6 million). The significant rise in the charge is 
explained by the rebound in profitability versus the Covid-impacted 2020. In addition, there was an increase in the tax rate in 
Argentina to 35% impacting deferred income tax by $12.5 million. 

The effective tax rate (pre-exceptional) for the period was 54.7% (2020: 57.8%), compared to the weighted average statutory income 
tax rate of 30.9% (2020: 30.8%). The high effective tax rate in 2021 versus the average statutory rate is mainly explained by the 
impact of a higher income tax rate in Argentina increasing the effective rate by 8.4%, royalties and the Special Mining Tax which 
increased the effective rate by 8.2%, local currency devaluation in Peru increasing the rate by 5.0%, and the impact of non-
deductible expenses related to buying US dollars in Argentina increasing the rate by 3.4%.

Exceptional items 
Exceptional items in 2021 totalled a $3.7 million gain after tax (2020: $15.8 million loss after tax). Exceptional items in 2021 included: 
a gain on the demerger of Aclara Resources of $37.5 million (non-taxable); impairment of the Pallancata mining unit of $24.9 million; 
and $24.1 million of Covid-19 response initiatives distributed between cost of sales and other expenses (2020: $31.2 million). 
Covid-19 response initiatives include: incremental personnel expenses; Covid tests; accommodation whilst testing all workers for 
active Covid-19 cases prior to travelling to mine units; and additional transportation costs to facilitate social distancing. These 
items are presented as exceptional as they are incremental to the Group’s regular business, resulting from initiatives to respond to 
the impact from Covid-19. Given the current progress of the pandemic, the response expenses are not expected to be recorded as 
exceptional items in the future.

Covid-19 response initiatives15

$000

Personnel

Donations

Third-party services

Others

Total

Peru

2,743 

1 

8,236

1,381

12,361

Argentina

2

3

11,421

227

11,653

Total

2,745

4

19,657

1,680

24,014

The tax effect of these exceptional items was a $15.1 million tax gain (2020: $7.2 million tax gain). The total effective tax rate was 
48.2% (2020: 68.0%). The net attributable profit of exceptional items was $7.4 million.

Cash flow and balance sheet review
Cash flow

$000

Net cash generated from operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows generated from/(used in) financing activities

Foreign exchange adjustment

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

282,520

(183,434)

59,307

(3,487)

154,906

195,374

(112,229)

(12,411)

(5,208)

65,526

change

86,137

(71,205)

71,718

2,730

89,380

Net cash generated from operating activities increased from $195.4 million in 2020 to $282.5 million in 2021 mainly due to higher 
Adjusted EBITDA of $382.8 million (2020: $270.9 million). 

Net cash used in investing activities increased from $112.2 million in 2020 to $183.4 million in 2021 mainly due to higher purchases 
of property, plant and equipment, and evaluation and exploration assets; and the purchase of Aclara shares for $20.0 million. 

Cash from financing activities increased to an inflow of $59.3 million from an outflow of $12.4 million in 2020, primarily due to the 
additional medium-term loan of $100.0 million, partially offset by higher dividends to non-controlling interest of $9.8 million (2020: 
$0.3 million) and lower repayment of borrowings of $14.8 million (2020: $37.7 million).

Working capital

$000

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

Income tax payable, net

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Working capital

As at 
31 December 
2021

As at
31 December 
2020

69,749

49,184

14,073

(22,322)

(133,482)

(32,058)

(54,856)

78,196

42,362

(1,500)

(20,709)

(114,415)

(25,504)

(41,570)

The Group’s working capital position declined in 2021 from $(41.6) million to $(54.9) million. The key drivers were: higher trade and 
other payables of $19.1 million; lower trade and other receivables of $8.5 million; and higher provisions of $6.6 million. These effects 
were partially offset by: higher derivative financial assets of $15.6 million mainly comprised of the position on the Company’s silver 
hedges; and higher inventories of $6.9 million. 

Net cash

$000 unless otherwise indicated

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current borrowings

Current borrowings16

Net cash/(debt)

As at  
31 December 
2021

As at 
31 December 
2020

386,789

(300,000)

(499)

86,290

231,883

(199,554)

(10,778)

21,551

The Group’s reported net cash position was $86.3 million as at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: net cash of $21.6 million). 
The Group benefited from strong cash flow generation resulting from the high precious metal prices. In 2021, the Company 
recorded an increase in borrowings resulting from the drawing down of a further $100 million of the Company’s revised  
medium-term loan. 

15  Covid-19 response initiatives are distributed between cost of sales and other expenses. Cost of sales mainly includes the expenses related to the operating mine units 

(Inmaculada, Pallancata, San Jose) of $22.5 million. Other expenses includes corporate expenses and expenses from non-operating units of $1.5 million.

16  Includes pre-shipment loans and short-term interest payables.

 42  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 43  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Capital expenditure17

$000

Pallancata

San Jose

Inmaculada

Operations

Aclara

Other

Total

Year ended  
31 Dec 2021

Year ended  
31 Dec 2020 

14,250

43,666

76,512

134,428

11,476

7,957

7,506

23,030

62,128

92,664

8,650

6,610

153,861

107,924

2021 capital expenditure of $153.9 million (2020: $107.9 million) mainly comprised operational capex of $134.4 million (2020: $92.8 
million) with the increase versus 2020 resulting from deferred capex at all operations in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 
pandemic and higher capex for development work at Pallancata to access newly economic resources which have further 
extended the mine life.

We are focused on driving long-term sustainable 
performance for the benefit of our customers, 
shareholders and wider stakeholders.

Our six key stakeholder groups

Section 172
On these pages, we describe our key stakeholders and summarise 
the engagement that has been under taken across the business. 
How the Board develops an understanding of the interests of 
stakeholders, and how it considers stakeholders’ interests in its 
principal decisions and the section 172(1) statement can be found 
in the Corporate Governance Repor t on pages 88 and 89. 

Shareholders

Employees

Social

Government/
Regulators

Suppliers/
Lenders

Customers

17   Includes additions in property, plant and equipment and evaluation and exploration assets (confirmation of resources) and excludes increases in the expected closure costs 

of mine asset.

 44  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 45  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther InformationSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT CONTINUED

Why are they important to us?

Engagement activities

Issues raised in 2021

Additional information

Our shareholders are investors and 
owners of the business. We seek to 
establish and maintain constructive 
relations with all shareholders through 
open dialogue and an ongoing 
programme of engagement.

We interact with our shareholders 
through various methods throughout 
the year with the participation of the 
CEO, CFO, members of the Board, the 
Company Secretary and the Head of 
Investor Relations. 

Shareholders 

Our people are key to the success of 
our business. We seek to attract, retain 
and develop our people through 
competitive remuneration, a positive 
and safe working environment and 
developmental opportunities.

Employees 

We recognise our social 
commitments to (a) produce the 
smallest environmental footprint 
possible and (b) understand the 
needs and expectations of our local 
communities. Through close 
collaboration we implement social 
investment programmes in our 
areas of focus.

Social 

Examples of shareholder engagement in 
2021 include discussions with investors, 
led by the Remuneration Committee, on 
executive Remuneration Policy and 
feedback on the 2020 Remuneration 
Report, and the Capital Markets 
presentation on the Group’s rare earths 
business (Aclara Resources).

Employee engagement generally 
takes many forms and includes the use 
of surveys, presentations and Q&A 
sessions with management. Our 2021 
programme included:

 – workshops hosted by senior 

management and external specialists 
facilitating discussions themed around 
the Group’s cultural attributes;

 – sessions led by the Country General 

Managers with managers of the mining 
units; and

 – regular meetings with labour unions to 
negotiate collective agreements and 
discuss matters of interest.

We adopt a varied approach to engaging 
with local communities including: 

 – direct interaction with local mayors and 

residents;

 – our Permanent Information Office 

(which re-opened for in-person service 
in 2021) and town hall meetings;

 – community surveys;

 – collaborative activities, for example 

environmental monitoring; and

 – the implementation of local purchasing 

and hiring protocols.

 – Impact of safety events on 
executive remuneration

 – Progress at Aclara’s rare earths project

 – Various issues relating to ESG 

(environmental, social and governance) 
including environmental management, 
safety and relations with communities

 – Growth strategy

For further information on the actions taken by 
the Company in response to investor feedback on 
executive remuneration, please refer to the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

  READ MORE

Corporate Governance Report 
(Shareholder Engagement)  
– page 87

Directors’ Remuneration Report  
– page 104

 – Covid-19 health protocols and information 

on vaccines

 – Adaptations prompted by the pandemic such as 
working shift changes and changes in catering 
provision due to contractor staff shortages 

 – Remuneration retention plans for 

health personnel

  READ MORE

Sustainability Report (Our people)  
– page 61

Risk Management (Personnel risks)  
– page 71

 – Environmental issues

 – Local hiring and purchasing 

 – Provision of education to children and others 

returning from cities

 – Covid vaccinations

  READ MORE

Sustainability Report (Environment 
Management & Communities)  
– from page 54

Risk Management (Environmental risks)  
– page 74

Risk Management (Community relations)  
– page 75 

 46  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 47  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT CONTINUED

Why are they important to us?

Engagement activities

Issues raised in 2021

Additional information

It is our aim to maintain a constructive 
relationship and open dialogue with the 
various governmental authorities we 
interact with in each of the countries 
where we operate.

Government / 
Regulators

The Vice President of Corporate Affairs 
oversees regular interaction with relevant 
authorities and regulators, both at a 
Company level but also through the 
National Mining Association. Various 
teams also regularly interact with public 
officials and regulators as part of their 
operational functions.

The equivalent role in our Argentinian 
joint venture is undertaken by the General 
Manager and General Counsel. We also 
play an active role through the National 
Mining Association.

In 2021, management engaged directly 
with members of the Peruvian Government 
in response to actions by the Prime Minister 
in the Coracora district For further details, 
please refer to the commentary on Political, 
Legal and Regulatory risks in the Risk 
Management report.

As a key influence on how we operate 
our business, we seek a relationship of 
mutual benefit while requiring high 
standards of conduct.

The General Managers of our Peruvian 
and Argentinian operations maintain 
ongoing dialogue with suppliers to the 
mine sites. Other suppliers are managed 
by the relevant functional department 
such as IT, Group Finance, etc.

Suppliers/ 
Lenders

 – Ongoing implementation of Covid-19 

health protocols

 – Health & Safety and environmental 

performance and compliance

 – Contribution to regional development such as 
through local job creation and investment in 
social programmes/infrastructure

 – Discussions with representatives of the Tahltan 
Central Government on Hochschild’s planned 
activities at the Snip project

  READ MORE

Risk Management (Political, Legal & 
Regulatory risks) – from page 72

 – Ongoing application of Covid-19 health 
protocols for onsite suppliers (such as 
catering contractors)

 – The maintenance of stocks of critical 

consumables to mitigate supply chain risks

 – Ongoing discussions to anticipate price 

variations due to rising freight costs

 – With regards to its lenders, the Group provides 
information on an ongoing basis on relevant 
developments including operational, social 
and political matters

  READ MORE

Risk Management (Business Interruption/
Supply Chain risks) – page 70

Customers

Due to the nature of what we produce, 
Hochschild has relatively few 
customers. As a result, successful 
relations with our customers are of 
critical importance to our business.

Our sales and logistics teams oversee 
a relationship of co-operation and 
constant dialogue. 

In addition to usual relationship 
management, customer engagement 
during 2021 took place virtually including 
during London Metals Exchange week.

 – Shipping schedules due to the impact 

of delays in global logistics

 – Adjustments to standard logistics protocols 

to avoid shipping delays 

 – Discussions on the provision of additional 
information/guarantees in light of HOC’s 
procedures to mitigate counterparty risk 

  READ MORE

Risk Management (Commercial 
Counterparty risk) – page 70

 48  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 49  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Responsible and  
innovative mining 
committed to a  
better world 

Since the Company’s inception, we have 
endeavoured to maintain and reinforce our 
corporate values of respecting the wellbeing of 
our employees, the environment, and the 
communities in which we operate. 

progressive improvement. Despite our continued 
focus on safety, I am very saddened to report that 
two fatal incidents occurred in 2021. Two of our 
contractors were fatally injured while working at 
our San Jose and Aclara mining projects. As always, 
whenever such accidents occur at our mine sites, a 
full investigation is carried out and we take whatever 
steps are necessary to achieve our aim of zero harm. 

As previously reported, an unprecedented 
tragic traffic accident occurred in June 2021 
involving our transport contractor which claimed 
the lives of 26 colleagues. The entire organisation 
was deeply affected by this accident and we 
provided support to the families of the victims and 
supported the local authorities and contractor 
with their respective investigations.

Our people
Diversity, particularly with regards to gender, 
continues to be a focus area for Hochschild. We have 
achieved 33% female representation on the Board 
compared to the average score of 24.6% across 
World Gold Council members2. During the year we 
also continued with our initiatives across the 
organisation to promote diversity and inclusion. 

Ensuring we are a responsible business
It is important for us that we always operate in 
an ethical manner. In 2021, we achieved the Zero 
Corruption Certification of Entrepreneurs for 
integrity. Furthermore, we were recognised with the 
EMIN award (Mining Excellence of the South Macro 
Region), by the Peruvian National Society of 
Industries and the Arequipa Chamber of 
Commerce in Peru. 

Looking forward, we have a comprehensive work 
plan to drive continuous improvement including: 
continue rolling out internal training on our Human 
Rights Policy, implementing a human rights due 
diligence process, strengthening our environmental 
culture, and carefully managing our climate-related 
risks and their potential impacts. 

We welcome your comments and feedback on our 
sustainability activities, which can be shared via 
sustainability@hocplc.com.

Graham Birch
Chair, Sustainability Committee 
22 February 2022

Independent certification body

1 
2  According to the latest data available published in 2020

Dear shareholder
A key foundation of Hochschild’s corporate 
purpose is our collective sense of responsibility. 
I am pleased to report on our key Environmental, 
Social and Governance (ESG) activities and 
achievements for 2021. We will also publish our 
stand-alone Sustainability Report in Q2 2022 
outlining our efforts in greater detail. 

Serving our communities
Our Community Relations team has continued to 
support our local communities during the ongoing 
Covid-19 pandemic. We invested $5.4m in our local 
communities, we provided employment to over 1,000 
people from our surrounding communities in Peru, 
Argentina and Chile, and procured goods and 
services worth over $16m from local providers.

Protecting the environment 
From an environmental perspective, I would like to 
highlight two aspects in particular. For the first time 
since we launched our ECO Score framework in 2015, 
we ended the year with four mining units with perfect 
scores of 6 out of 6. Also, over the last year we have 
embarked on an ambitious journey to develop our 
first corporate carbon strategy to become net zero, 
which will be ready by the end of Q1 2022 for 
adoption in Q2 2022. 

Health and safety
Our people’s safety and wellbeing continue to be 
our highest priority. 

Our Health and Safety Risk Information Management 
System was certified by DNV1 to Level 7 a year ahead 
of schedule and is the culmination of three years of 

$16.8m

VALUE OF GOODS AND 
SERVICES PROCURED FROM 
LOCAL PROVIDERS

$5.4m

INVESTED IN  
LOCAL COMMUNITIES 

33%

FEMALE BOARD 
COMPOSITION

 50  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 51  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFurther InformationSUSTAINABILITY REPORT CONTINUED

Our approach to sustainability

Health and 
safety 
PAGE 59

Ensuring we are  
a responsible 
business
PAGE 63

Our areas  
of focus

Our  
people
PAGE 61

Protecting the 
environment
PAGE 56

Serving our 
communities 
PAGE 54

Hochschild’s approach to sustainability
Our long-term business model has 
been developed to not only offer an 
attractive investment proposition for 
our shareholders, but also as part of our 
commitment to making a better world 
for our workforce, communities and 
society as a whole. 

To ensure these values continue to be 
met, we have operationalised our policies 
to be able to showcase our commitment 
to areas in which we can impact the most, 
underpinned by our recognition of the 
United Nations Sustainability 
Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Refreshed materiality assessment
In 2021, we completed a materiality 
assessment refresh, which identified 
14 material ESG topics critical for 
Hochschild to manage. The process 
included an external trends analysis, 
engagement with internal and external 
stakeholders, and an in-depth topic 
analysis and prioritisation. We are 
planning to refresh our materiality 
assessment every two years. 

Sustainability Strategy

Best in class

Robust culture

Transparency

Maximise innovation

Minimal footprint

Sustainability reporting
 In 2021, we completed the Climate, Forest 
and Water Security Carbon Disclosure 
Project (CDP) disclosures and aligned 
climate reporting with the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) framework. The 2021 TCFD report 
can be found from page 64. 

To provide stakeholders with a 
transparent account of the sustainability 
topics of most importance to our business 
and the steps we are continually taking to 
better measure our impact and improve 
our sustainability performance, we will 
publish a standalone Sustainability 
Report, aligned with GRI core-level 
requirements in Q2 2022. Going forward 
we will publish a standalone Sustainability 
Report every other year and continue to 
provide stakeholders with our progress 
on ESG related topics within our 
Annual Report.

Governance 
Strong sustainability governance is critical 
for Hochschild to maintain its social licence 
to operate, requiring leadership from the 
very top of the organisation. Our Board of 
Directors has ultimate responsibility for 
establishing Group policies relating to 
sustainability and employee matters, and 
ensuring that international and national 
standards are met. 

In December 2021, Tracey Kerr 
was appointed to the Board as an 
Independent Non-Executive Director. 
Tracey joins the Company having spent 
a considerable part of her career with 
Anglo American and she brings with her 
a breadth of sustainability experience 
from her previous roles as a senior mining 
executive with ESG responsibilities. 

The Sustainability Committee, a formal 
committee of the Board, has been 
delegated responsibility for various 
sustainability issues, focusing on 
compliance and ensuring that 
appropriate systems and practices 
are in place Group-wide to ensure the 
effective management of ESG-related 
risks and opportunities. 

Graham Birch, who chairs the Committee, 
has Board-level responsibility for ESG 
issues and is the Designated Non-
Executive Director for Workforce 
Engagement. The Vice Presidents of 
Operations, Legal & Corporate Affairs, 
and Human Resources report to 
Graham Birch as chair of the 
Sustainability Committee.

Committee membership and attendance 
at Committee meetings are detailed in 
the table below. 

Tracey Kerr will join the Committee as a 
member on 1 March 2022 and, following 
Graham Birch’s retirement from the 
Board at the 2022 AGM, will become 
Committee Chair. 

The Committee conducted the following 
key activities during 2021:

 – Approved the 2020 Sustainability 
Report for inclusion in the 2020 
Annual Report;

 – Monitored the execution of the 

annual plan in our key areas of focus: 
Serving our communities, Protecting 
the environment, Health and safety 
and our people; 

 – Received updates on the Company’s 
initiatives supporting employees and 
local communities through the ongoing 
Covid-19 pandemic; 

 – Oversight of the ongoing rollout of the 
Environment Culture Transformation 
Plan to assure a robust environmental 
culture across the organisation;

 – Reviewed the ICMM’s Global Standard 
on Tailings Management and adopted 
a Tailings Storage Facility Policy;

 – Considered the investigations into the 
two workplace fatalities that occurred 
during the year as well as the traffic 
accident involving a bus operated by 
one of our transport contractors;

 – Reviewed the key sustainability-related 
risks to which the Company is exposed 
as well as assessing the adequacy of 
the mitigation measures that have 
been adopted. 

Members

Graham Birch, Non-Executive Director (Chair)

Ignacio Bustamante, Chief Executive Officer

Eileen Kamerick, Non-Executive Director*

Michael Rawlinson, Non-Executive Director

Sanjay Sarma, Non-Executive Director**

Maximum
possible
attendance

Actual
attendance

Independent

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

4

4

3

4

4

4

4

3

4

4

* Eileen Kamerick was appointed a member of the Committee on 1 May 2021
** Sanjay Sarma stepped down from the Committee on his retirement from the Board on 10 December 2021

 52  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 53  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT CONTINUED

Serving our 
communities

Highlights

SPENT OR DONATED TO BENEFIT  
LOCAL COMMUNITIES (2020: $5.5M)

$5.4m
$16.8m
1,057

WORTH OF GOODS AND SERVICES PROCURED 
FROM COMMUNITY-RUN BUSINESSES

COMMUNITY MEMBERS EMPLOYED ACROSS NINE 
OF OUR SITES IN PERU, ARGENTINA AND CHILE

Alignment to UN SDGs

Hochschild recognises its responsibilities to support 
communities working together with governmental 
authorities, investing significant resources to understand 
their needs and expectations. We have identified the 
following material topics related to this pillar: positively 
impacting local communities and respecting human rights.

Our approach to serving our 
communities
The Hochschild way is to promote close 
collaboration with our local communities 
with full respect for local customs and 
social dynamics. Our actions are guided 
by our Community Relations Policy and 
our active engagement strategy, which 
set out our intention to build trust, provide 
clear communication and actively listen 
to and understand community concerns. 

Key achievements 2021
 – Digital inclusion: As part of our 

Conexion Futuro (‘Future Connection’) 
programme to keep communities 
connected during the Covid-19 
pandemic, we installed three new 
digital centres in the communities of 
Quilcaccasa, Belen and Pacapausa.

 – Education: Our educational programme 

Aprender Para Triunfar (‘Learn to 
Succeed’) provided academic support 
in mathematical reasoning and reading 
comprehension for elementary students 
as well as focusing on emotional and 
entrepreneurial skills for secondary 
students. In 2021, we were able to 
support almost 200 students and over 
80 teachers across 11 communities. 

We also donated over 300 tablets to 
schoolchildren, which facilitated the 
delivery of educational programmes 
developed by the government. This 
allowed students to have access to 
learning experiences during school shut 
down due to the pandemic, aligned with 
Peru’s national curriculum. Alongside 
this, we trained 65 teachers in the use 
of technological tools and wellbeing 
techniques. 

Finally, in 2021, 13 women from our 
communities graduated as plant 
and infrastructure assistants through 
our scholarship programme Becas 
Futuro Mujer (‘Women of the Future 
Scholarship’). Five of these graduates 
have since been employed by 
Hochschild to work at the Inmaculada 
mine. The programme, launched in 
2020, offers the opportunity for higher 
studies in technical careers, equipping 
students with skills that are sought after 
in the mining industry. 

The Hochschild 
way is to promote 
close collaboration 
with our local 
communities with 
full respect for 
local customs and 
social dynamics.”

Material topics in serving 
our communities
Positively impacting local communities
At Hochschild, we are proud of the work 
we do to support our local communities. 
We invest our resources to understand 
the needs and expectations of our 
communities and governments, with 
a particular focus on education, health 
and socio-economic development. 
Where possible, we look for 
opportunities for community and 
governmental collaboration to ensure 
that our social investment strategies 
are implemented successfully and have 
a long-lasting impact.

Respecting human rights
Hochschild is committed to upholding 
and respecting human rights within the 
Company and throughout our value 
chain. We seek to apply relevant 
international standards to understand, 
control and mitigate our impact. In 2020, 
we published a standalone Human 
Rights Policy. In 2021 we commenced 
training for our managers and staff 
across the business. 

 – Health and nutrition: Through the 
Siempre Sanos (‘Always Healthy’) 
programme implemented in 
collaboration with the Peruvian Health 
Ministry, we are providing medical care 
for our communities. In addition, the 
programme facilitates workshops on 
health prevention and health education, 
particularly providing support to 
new parents on early childhood 
development and child nutrition. 
In 2021, 92 mothers and 100 children 
benefited from this programme. We 
also carried out over 100 home visits to 
families through our health promoters 
to improve parents’ understanding and 
knowledge of early child development. 

 – Economic development: Hochschild’s 

Impulso Productivo (‘Boosting 
Productivity’) programme seeks 
to strengthen local entrepreneurs’ 
business management, as well as 
providing access to markets. In 2021, we 
worked with 229 agricultural producers, 
who achieved sales of over $40,000 in 
local produce.

Additionally, through our Orgullo 
Pecuario (‘Pride in our Livestock’) 
programme we provided 215 livestock 
producers with technical assistance on 
genetic improvement of livestock and 
animal health to improve the wellbeing 
and development of their livestock. 

 54  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 55  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSUSTAINABILITY REPORT CONTINUED

Protecting the 
environment

Highlights

2021 ECO SCORE (VS TARGET OF 5.00) 

5.29
48%

DECREASE IN DOMESTIC SOLID WASTE 
GENERATION SINCE 2015

Alignment to UN SDGs

Hochschild is committed to contribute to a 
sustainable future, always acting with responsibility 
and environmental excellence. We have identified the 
following material topics related to this pillar: Climate 
change resilience, Water management, Responsible 
management of waste and tailings and Safeguarding 
biodiversity natural resources through effective land use.

Our approach to protecting 
the environment 
Hochschild is committed to protecting 
the environment through applying 
best-in-class environmental management 
practices. All our activities are guided by 
the principles set out in our Environmental 
Policy, continually seeking ways to 
produce metals with the least possible 
environmental footprint. Such efforts 
include improving our consumption of 
resources, whether through reducing 
water usage, improving energy efficiency, 
or increasing the amount of waste that 
is recycled. 

Key achievements 2021
 – Environment Culture Transformation 

Plan: We continue to work on our 
Environment Culture Transformation 
Plan. The plan’s objective is to strengthen 
and embed an environmentally 
conscious culture across our business 
and assure long-term environmental 
performance. In 2021, we launched 
the following initiatives:
	• Environmental Ambassadors: We 

established Hochschild’s first group of 
85 ambassadors across Peru (46) and 
Argentina (39). These ambassadors are 
tasked with promoting a key aspect of 
the Group’s corporate purpose: a sense 
of environmental responsibility in all 
that we do.

	• Environmental Processes 

Optimisation Programme: This 
programme enables us to assess 
our environmental risks across our 
operations and establish the most 
appropriate environmental controls.
	• Innova Campaign to improve water 
and waste management: Of the 43 
proposals that were submitted via 
our innovative projects portal in 2021, 
15 innovative projects have been 
selected for implementation. To date, 
six projects have been completed and 
five are in progress. 

 – ECO Score: A Hochschild innovation: 

To achieve a best-in-class environmental 
footprint, Hochschild created an 
innovative programme that allows us 
to quantify and distil our environmental 
performance in a single number, 
expressing intangible environmental 
management in a way that is universally 
understood. The ECO Score is an 
effective and innovative tool used to 
manage environmental matters, hold 
employees accountable and create value 
for all stakeholders. In 2021, our overall 
ECO Score was 5.29 out of 6 (2020: 5.74)

Among the 2021 results, Hochschild 
achieved the highest environmental 
culture compliance score since 
2015 (96.4%).

Moreover, our performance has inspired 
the voluntary take up of the ECO Score 
framework by our suppliers, which will 
help us improve our business practices 
across our supply chain. For instance, our 
waste management contractor in Peru 
adapted the ECO Score for their 
operations in Peru, focusing on water 
consumption, waste segregation and 
energy use.

The ECO Score has received external 
recognition since its launch in 2015. 
For details on how the ECO Score 
is calculated, visit 

http://www.hochschildmining.com/en/
responsibility/environment

Material topics in protecting 
the environment
Climate change resilience
We understand the global importance 
of climate change and are committed 
to taking the necessary measures to 
continually reduce our greenhouse gas 
(GHG) footprint. Our low-carbon grid-
based electricity supply is 78% sourced 
from renewable sources. On the other 
hand, the nature of the underground 
mining of narrow high-grade veins in 
both Peru and Argentina allows us to 
have a low GHG intensity.

We are in the process of developing a 
climate risk assessment and carbon 
strategy to become net zero, which will be 
ready by end of Q1 2022 for adoption in Q2. 
We will be launching reduction targets, 
increasing our energy procurement from 
renewable sources and improving our 
operational energy efficiency. 

Climate change-related risks are reported 
to the Risk Committee and Sustainability 
Committee. To provide our stakeholders 
with greater transparency and 
understanding of the impacts of climate 
change on our business, Hochschild 
commenced participating in CDP in 2021 
and reporting under the TCFD framework 
voluntarily with respect to 2020. With 
regards to the former, Hochschild scored 
a C rating in line with the sector average. 

Details on our approach to manage climate 
risks and opportunities, including our 
governance approach, strategy, and risk 
management, can be found in our TCFD 
report from page 64. 

53% 

DECREASE IN POTABLE 
WATER CONSUMPTION 
SINCE 2015

 56  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 57  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSUSTAINABILITY REPORT CONTINUED

2021

20203

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

46,628

40,647

39,341

38,939

47,265

46,033

46,8923

73,244

53,8025

41,2545

82,8333

85,0843

94,249

91,893

78,163

69,933

100,430

81,901

122,174

124,023

141,514

137,926

125,055

143,178

Health and Safety

Greenhouse gas emissions 
data1, 2 (tonnes of CO2e)

Emissions from combustion of fuel 
and operation of facilities (tCO2e)4

Emissions from purchased electricity 
(tCO2e)4

Total Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions 
(tCO2e)4

Energy consumption used to 
calculate above emissions

464,221,143 366,955,382 446,288,131

From combustion of fuel (kWh)6

164,307,150 132,414,133 143,763,206

From purchased electricity (kWh)

299,913,993 234,541,249 302,524,925

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Emissions intensity, per thousand 
ounces of total silver equivalent 
produced (CO2e/k oz)4,5

2.69

2.76

2.64

2.60

3.16

3.27

3.70

5.08

1  Method used based on ISO 14064-1 Standard and GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, using IPCC and Peruvian emission factors. 

2  Includes data for the whole year for Peru (former and current operating assets, Azuca, Crespo, warehouses and office locations) and San Jose. 

3  Restated following a review of underlying data and external verification of the emissions from Inmaculada, Pallancata, Selene and San José.

4  Emissions (and intensity) reflect combustion of fuel and operation of facilities (Scope 1) and purchased electricity (Scope 2).

5   Location based emissions. 

6  Collected information has been converted to kWh from gallons of fuel using net calorific values obtained from the Peruvian Ministry of Environment.

7   Total production includes 100% of all production, including that attributable to the joint venture partner at San Jose. 

Note: The Group’s UK operations consist of a single office with an occupancy of three. Its total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and energy consumption represent less than 0.01% of the 
Group’s reported totals

Our 2021 carbon footprint for operations will be externally assured by an independent third party.

Hochschild has 11 tailings storage facilities 
in total, nine of which are downstream with 
rock buttresses and nine are classified as 
low risk. We currently have four operating 
facilities, two in Peru and two in Argentina. 
We commission external inspections of 
operational facilities every two years. 
The last audit took place in 2021 and 
concluded that all dams are stable, 
with any observations being minor and 
related to care and maintenance. An 
action plan is being developed to 
address all observations. 

Hochschild fully supports the need for 
greater transparency in the mining sector 
and discloses full details on each of its 
TSFs and how they are managed.

Water management
In 2021, 85% of all water used in processing was re-used water, predominantly from water 
recovery plants from tailing storage facilities. At the Inmaculada mine, 75% of water was 
re-used (2020: 73%), 99.3% at Selene mine (2020: 100%) and 77.1% in the San Jose mine 
(2020: 75%). 

Potable water consumption decreased by 16.4% in 2021 compared to 2020 levels. This is 
the result of the successful implementation of initiatives focused on responsible water 
management. This includes installing electro-valves to improve water use and control, 
running a communication campaign around the efficient use of water and ensuring high 
quality maintenance of water lines. 

Water consumption (litres/person/day)

2021

192.83

2020

230.67

2019

206.01

2018

224.78

2017

214.08

2016

293.71

2015

408.35

Safeguarding biodiversity and natural resources through effective land use
Peru sits within the top 10 of the most biodiverse countries and several of our sites are 
located adjacent to a legally recognised national protected area. To maintain and 
protect the biodiversity of our surroundings, monitoring is conducted by a specialised 
consulting firm across each mine unit twice a year (both in the rainy and dry seasons). 
The results of these surveys in 2021 confirmed the overall health of the ecosystem.

Responsible management of waste and tailings
In 2021, domestic waste generated across all our sites decreased by 15.3% from 2020 
levels. Since the implementation of the ECO Score in 2015, domestic waste generation 
has decreased by 48.5%.

Domestic waste generation  
(Kg/person/day)

2021

1.00

2020

1.18

2019

1.04

2018

1.13

2017

1.13

2016

1.33

2015

1.94

  READ MORE

See hochschildmining.com for further 
details on the Group’s TSFs

4.5m

MORE LABOUR-HOURS 
IN 2021 THAN 2020 DUE 
TO THE RESUMPTION 
OF OPERATIONS 
FOLLOWING THE 
PANDEMIC

Highlights

9%

REDUCTION IN LOST 
TIME INJURY 
FREQUENCY RATE 
COMPARED WITH 2020

27

CONVERSATION 
SESSIONS HELD TO 
SUPPORT FAMILIES 
THROUGHOUT THE 
PANDEMIC 

Alignment to UN SDGs

Given the inherently high-risk profile of mining and 
recognising that our people are our most valuable asset, 
ensuring employee safety is a key measure for our 
corporate success. Occupational health, safety and 
wellbeing was identified as a priority topic in our 
materiality assessment.

Our approach to health and safety
We recognise that a more engaged 
workforce is one where people actively 
look out for their own and others’ safety, 
helping us to manage our safety and 
health risks. To further embed a 
Company-wide safety culture, we 
updated our Safety Plan in 2020, known 
as Safety 2.0. Our Safety 2.0 action plan is 
made up of seven key attributes covering 
training, effective communication, 
recognition, and linking compensation 
with safety indicators. 

Key achievements in 2021
 – Achieved Level 7 certification by 

DNV for operating Health & Safety 
Management Systems at all 
mining units.

 – Successfully continued implementation 
of our updated action plan known as 
‘Safety 2.0’.

 – We released the Seguscore, a new 

integrated safety performance tool 
which incorporates proactive safety 
indicators (such as internal inspection 
results) to the traditional indicators 
(such as frequency, severity, and high 
potential indices). 

 – A weekly safety and leadership training 
programme is in place at all sites with a 
90% attendance rate. 

 – We developed an integrated GPS and 
on-board video system programme 
with artificial intelligence which will be 
implemented in early 2022. This will give 
our drivers more control and safety. The 
system can identify fatigue signals and 
detects the use of the seat belt.

 – We developed an in-house tailored 
risk perception tool to improve our 
employees’ understanding of safety-
related risks. This tool will help 
employees identify and control triggers 
connected to incidents and accidents. 

Additionally, throughout 2021 we 
continued to protect our people from 
the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. 
We provided ongoing reinforcement of 
responsible behaviours at the mine sites 
and administrative offices. We also 
co-ordinated with regional and local 
authorities to roll out vaccination 
campaigns in Peruvian sites. 

Investigating and learning from 
safety incidents
With deep regret we reported an accident 
at our San Jose mine towards the end of 
the first quarter that claimed the life of 
one of our contractors during the 
preparation of scheduled electrical 
maintenance work. The victim was being 
transported in a mobile elevating work 

 58  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 59  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSUSTAINABILITY REPORT CONTINUED

[

:

I

D
E
S
G
N
High Potential Events
N
Since 2017, we have monitored the 
O
occurrence of High Potential Events 
T
(HPEs). HPEs are events which could have 
E
caused serious injury and encompass 
G
near misses as well as lost time events. 
R
A
Each time an HPE occurs, our CEO 
P
convenes a meeting where the accident is 
H
analysed in detail as well as the proposed 
O
F
corrective action plan. 
H
P
E
s
–
2
0
1
7
2
2
8

0.74

0.28

2.28

‘20

1.23

‘19

‘18

‘17

:

.

,

Systematically  
managing risks is  
at the centre of our  
approach to safety  
and is underpinned  
by our Occupational 
Health & Safety 
Management System.”

Our people

platform when, during its operation, 
the platform impacted the ground at 
force causing severe injury. A detailed 
investigation was carried out following the 
incident and findings were reported to the 
Board. An action plan comprising internal 
communications and changes to 
operating procedures were subsequently 
implemented across all operations. 

In November, a worker of a local 
contractor at Aclara’s Penco project 
sustained fatal injuries. The victim was 
not on active duty but was found, by 
his colleagues, at the foot of a nearby 
embankment, together with the 
road roller he was operating. Local 
authorities were notified and we 
provided support to the worker’s 
family through the contractor.

As part of Hochschild’s ongoing efforts 
to reduce the occurrence of these events, 
in-depth training is provided to staff 
members. In 2021, workers received 
training in accident investigation through 
a comprehensive 20-hour course. The 
contents were co-designed with leading 
independent risk and assurance firm 
DNV to standardise the investigation 
techniques and improve the preparation 
of action plans.

‘21

0.47

2
0
1
8
1
2
3

:

.

,

.

,

:

2
0
1
9
0
7
4

Material topic in Health and Safety
Occupational health, safety 
and wellbeing
We strive to ensure that the health, 
safety and wellbeing of employees 
and contractors is central to our 
processes and business practices. 
We adopt practical measures to 
avoid workplace fatalities, eliminate 
occupational health hazards and 
support employee wellbeing.

2
0
2
0
0
Systematically managing risks is at the 
2
8
centre of our approach to safety and is 
underpinned by our Occupational Health 
2
0
& Safety Management System. This 
2
1
management system is aligned with 
0
recognised international practices and is 
4
externally certified to ensure compliance 
7
]
amongst mining units. In 2021, our Health 
and Safety Management System 
operating at all units achieved Level 7 
certification by DNV (Level 6 in 2020). 

.

,

:

:

.

Safety performance
Fatal accidents

4

3

2

1

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Accident Severity Index

2.69

1,264

2.20

1.85

1.74

1.38

1.26

1.05

930

676

474

‘213

‘20

Nil
‘19

‘18

‘17

Nil
‘16

Nil
‘15

‘21

‘20

‘19

‘18

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘21

‘20

138

112

54
‘19

‘18

‘17

‘16

‘15

 1   After extensive consideration by senior management and the Sustainability Committee on the HOC 2018 Parameters (with reference to the ICMM’s Health and Safety 
Guidance), it was decided that the Pallancata bus highway accident would not be reportable by Hochschild in its safety KPIs as it took place outside of Hochschild 
Mining’s operation and involved third-party transportation.

Highlights

15%

WORKFORCE FROM 
LOCAL COMMUNITIES 
(2020: 13%)

53%

WORKFORCE 
REPRESENTED BY A 
TRADE UNION OR 
SIMILAR BODY 
(2020: 54%)

Hochschild’s success relies on its people. We seek to 
promote our corporate purpose and provide a positive 
and stimulating working environment, where the 
development of employees is encouraged. We have 
identified the following material topics related to 
this pillar: Labour relations, Diversity and inclusion, 
Recruitment, retention, engagement and Innovation 
through technological solutions.

33%

FEMALE REPRESENTATION 
AT BOARD LEVEL (COMPARED 
TO 24% ACROSS WGC 
MEMBERS IN 2020)

Alignment to UN SDGs

Our approach to supporting our people
Underpinning the importance we place on 
our people and their wellbeing, we commit 
to providing an integrated approach to 
employee welfare, supporting our 
people’s health and wellbeing and 
ultimately, improving employee 
motivation and productivity. 

In addition, we trained 30 members 
of Amautas Mineros, a civil society 
association of university students which 
showcases modern mining practices to 
students in Peru. Through this training, 
we have built a programme that has 
impacted more than 2,700 students 
in Arequipa and Cusco.

Key achievements in 2021
 – Creating a diverse talent pool: 

Hochschild’s Siembra (‘Providing for 
the Future’) programme is part of our 
external efforts to reduce the barriers 
and stereotypes that women face in 
the mining sector. By running training 
sessions on unconscious bias and 
gender equality, we provide participants 
with the knowledge they need to 
become agents of change when they 
eventually enter the workforce. In 2021, 
over 90 leaders of the Company were 
trained through this programme, along 
with 17 women from the Women in 
Mining Peru programme (a non-profit 
association promoting the personal 
and professional growth of women 
in the mining sector). 

 – Internship programme: Eleven women 

completed the Mujeres de Oro (‘Golden 
Women’) internship programme and 
were hired as assistants at the 
Inmaculada mine. Each intern 
undertook 38 hours of training and 
developed improvement projects in the 
mines under the guidance of mentors. 

 – Sexual harassment campaign: It is a 
priority for Hochschild to provide a 
workplace that is free of harassment. 
As part of Hochschild’s 2021 
#LibreDeAcoso (‘#Free from 
harassment’) campaign, 1,564 
employees completed online training 
and obtained a certificate of completion.

 60  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 61  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT CONTINUED

 – Leadership: Hochschild continued 

with our multi-year leadership 
programme Lideres HOC (‘HOC 
Leaders’), focused on promoting our 
safety and environmental culture. A 
third group of 65 participants 
completed the programme in 2021, 
which included 84 hours of training. 

In addition, Hochschild has continued 
promoting a female leadership 
development programme called Mujer 
Integral (‘Integral Woman’), with 23 
participants completing it successfully 
in 2021. The programme seeks to train 
our female workers with the objective of 
promoting their development and 
growth within the Company. 

 – Recognition: 72% of personnel interacted 
with the Brilla HOC online platform and 
31% of workers were acknowledged at 
least once during 2021. The platform 
allows workers to acknowledge 
extraordinary behaviours that reflect our 
cultural attributes and that are aligned 
with the Company’s purpose. The 
cultural attributes include: showing 
innovation, always acting responsibly, 
inspiring and promoting talent and 
always searching for efficiency. 

Material topics in our people
Labour relations
Our Code of Conduct sets out our 
undertakings to treat all employees fairly 
and work in a safe and collaborative 
working culture. As a foundation of 
everything that we do, we recognise and 
uphold freedom of association, collective 
representation, just compensation, job 
security and development opportunities. 
In 2021, approximately 54% of our total 
workforce was represented by a trade 
union or similar body. We did not record 
any strikes or lockouts during 2021. 

People indicators 

Gender diversity*

Number of employees

Male

Female

Number of senior managers

Male

Female

Number of Board members

Male

Female

 * as at 31 December

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

3,347

316

3,155

275

3,024

218

3,894

245

3,849

235

3,859

222

43

2

6

3

41

1

7

2

37

1

7

1

37

1

7

1

36

1

7

1

35

1

8

1

Diversity and inclusion 
At Hochschild we are committed 
to providing equal employment 
opportunities for all, regardless of race, 
gender or religion. We believe diversity 
brings new and innovative ideas that 
contribute to our overall business success. 
Diversity, particularly gender, continues to 
be an area of focus, with our commitment 
to promoting the participation, education, 
and development of women outlined in 
our Diversity and Inclusion Policy. By the 
end oft 2021, 33% of our Board of 
Directors are women. 

Recruitment, retention and engagement 
Our people are key to the success of the 
business. We are therefore committed to 
attracting and retaining high quality 
talent by providing an attractive and 
innovative place to work. In 2021, we 
ranked second within the mining sector in 
the Merco Talento rankings (increased by 
one place compared to 2020), and 23rd 
out of the top 100 companies (increased 
by four places compared to 2020), ranked 
according to practices of attracting and 
retaining talent in Peru. 

Promoting innovation 
We are dedicated to the development 
of more efficient business practices 
through the adoption of new technologies. 
This enables us to enhance and improve 
day-to-day mining operations in a safe 
and secure way. We strive to promote 
innovation in all aspects of our business 
to drive business performance and 
identify opportunities for greater 
resource efficiency. 

Our dedication to innovation allows us to 
incorporate key technological advances 
and apply them to our business. In 2021, 
we launched a state-of-the-art reverse 
osmosis treatment plant at our Ares mine 
site to dewater its tailing storage facility 
and we put into operation the eighth 
leach tank in Inmaculada, increasing the 
residence time and the recovery of gold 
and silver.

In 2021, we carried out three 
innovation campaigns through our 
Innova programme. We received more 
than 130 project proposals, 22 of which 
are being implemented. We have also held 
innovation talks to inspire and encourage 
creativity. Led by subject matter experts, 
the topics range from bioremediation to 
mining robots, the latter drawing on a 
research project led by Stanford and 
UTEC universities. The talks reached an 
audience of over 100 people.

 We believe diversity brings 
new and innovative ideas 
that contribute to our 
overall business.”

Ensuring we are a  
responsible business

At Hochschild, we firmly believe that the sustainability 
of our business can only be built by doing the right thing – 
always acting honestly and ethically. We have identified the 
following material topics related to this pillar: Responsible 
business conduct and ethics, Advocacy for positive change 
and Responsible supply chain management.

Our approach to responsible business
We comply with codes, policies and 
procedures designed to ensure 
responsible, honest, innovative, and 
sustainable business management based 
on ethical standards. As a foundation of 
everything we do, all employees must 
comply with our Code of Conduct. The 
Code is supported by various policies, 
which cover a broad range of issues 
including anti-corruption and money 
laundering prevention.

Key achievements in 2021
 – Achieved the Zero Corruption 
Certification of Entrepreneurs 
for Integrity.

 – Recognised by the EMIN award (Mining 
Excellence of the South Macro Region) 
by the Peruvian National Society of 
Industries and the Arequipa Chamber 
of Commerce in Peru.

 – In line with the Company’s commitment 
to diversity and inclusion, the Board 
achieved its target of 33% female Board 
representation with the appointment 
Tracey Kerr as an independent Non-
Executive Director in December 2021. 

 – Reviewed and updated the following 

governance policies:
	• Prevention and Criminal 

Compliance Manual

	• Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy
	• Interaction with Public Officials Policy

Material topics in Ensuring we are a 
responsible business
Responsible business conduct and ethics
We are dedicated to maintaining the 
highest levels of ethical standards in 
the conduct of both our and our 
suppliers’ operations and ensuring that 
robust corporate governance systems 
are in place to promote better economic, 
social and environmental outcomes. 
This is supported by Anti-bribery and 
Anti-Corruption policies. The Code of 
Conduct and supporting policies apply 
to every individual who acts on behalf 
of the Company. 

Breaches are treated very seriously and 
to facilitate anonymous reporting, the 
Company has a long-established 
Whistleblowing Policy. The Whistleblowing 
Portal is online, designed to provide 
employees with a mechanism to raise 
(anonymously if preferred) concerns and 
other matters of concern. The platform is 
aligned with our zero-tolerance policy of 
behaviours that are inconsistent with the 
values that underpin our corporate 
culture as set out in our Code of Conduct. 

Advocacy for positive change
We responsibly engage with policy 
makers, practitioners and civil society to 
participate in policy and rule-making 
procedures to craft and approve new 
initiatives to enhance applicable mining 
and environmental regulations. We also 

Highlights

Zero 
corruption

CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY  
ENTREPENEURS FOR INTEGRITY

Alignment to UN SDGs

participate in various industry and 
professional forums to promote ESG 
guidelines and practices. 

Responsible supply chain management
At Hochschild, we work closely with our 
suppliers to ensure we are part of a value 
chain that protects human rights and 
promotes sustainability outcomes. We 
prioritise ethical decision-making when 
purchasing goods and services and 
promote the safe production, use, 
recycling and disposal of metals and 
their products to ensure responsible 
production. We also ensure we meet 
all regulatory obligations, whilst also 
responding to the increasing demand 
from our customers for assurance 
that the metals they buy are 
produced responsibly. 

 62  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 63  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationTASK FORCE ON CLIMATE-RELATED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES (TCFD)

Climate change is one of the greatest 
challenges facing society. The mining 
sector has a key role to play in helping 
the world transition to net zero and 
Hochschild Mining is committed to 
playing its part. 

Below we have provided information 
(or cross-referred to other parts of 
this Annual Report to find such 
information) consistent with the 
TCFD’s recommendations and 
recommended disclosures.

Pillar 1 – Governance:  
Disclose the organisation’s 
governance around climate-related 
risks and opportunities
Recommended Disclosure 1: 
Describe the board’s oversight of 
climate-related risks and opportunities

Hochschild Mining PLC’s Board of 
Directors engages with senior 
management on strategic planning 
and risk management and reviews 
management’s performance in 
consistently achieving productive, safe 
and environmentally sound operations. 
Sustainability and ESG topics, like climate 
change, are becoming an increasingly 
important aspect of Hochschild’s 
operations for stakeholders. 

Sustainability Committee
Since 2006, the Sustainability Committee 
has been delegated authority from the 
Board in overseeing the implementation 
of systems dealing with, amongst other 
things, environmental matters as well as 
compliance with the Company’s 
environmental commitments.

Given the scope of the Sustainability 
Committee’s responsibilities, it is tasked 
with making the necessary 
recommendations to the Board of 
Directors in connection with matters such 
as climate change and greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions that are material to the 
organisation operationally and financially. 

For details on the composition of the 
Sustainability Committee, its terms of 
reference and its workings, please refer 
to page 53.

Recommended Disclosure 2: 
Describe management’s role in 
assessing and managing climate-
related risks and opportunities

Managing risk
The monitoring of climate-related risks 
and opportunities ultimately resides with 
the management Risk Committee, which 
is responsible for implementing 
Hochschild’s policy on risk management 
and monitoring the effectiveness of 
controls in support of Hochschild’s 
business objectives.

For further details on the composition 
of the Group’s approach to risk 
management and the workings of the 
Risk Committee, please refer to page 68 
(Risk Management report)

Environmental Corporate Manager
The Environmental Corporate Manager 
reports to the VP, Legal and Corporate 
Affairs and to the CEO. Management 
reports to the Sustainability Committee, 
which is responsible for overseeing efforts 
to incorporate sustainability into 
Hochschild’s business practices and the 
setting of environmental sustainability 
objectives. The Environmental team, led by 
the Environmental Corporate Manager, 
collects and reports on ESG data such as 
energy, GHG emissions, water consumption, 
waste generation, etc. and oversees the 
development of corporate sustainability 
disclosures and communications with 
external stakeholders on Hochschild’s ESG 
performance.

Pillar 2 – Strategy:  
Disclose the actual and potential 
impacts of climate-related risks and 
opportunities on the organisation’s 
businesses, strategy, and financial 
planning where such information is 
material
Recommended Disclosure 3: 
Describe the climate-related risks and 
opportunities the organisation has 
identified over the short, medium, 
and long term

Hochschild is committed to assessing and 
reducing its exposure to climate-related 
financial risks, which is why the 
organisation is in the process of 
completing a Climate Risk Assessment 
(‘CRA’) and strategy and developing an 
action plan to continually reduce 
operational energy, GHG emissions and 
water consumption, with the ultimate aim 
of reaching net zero GHG emissions. This 
risk assessment and strategy (which will 
comprise commitments and targets) are 
expected to be completed in Q1 2022 for 
adoption in Q2 2022.

Climate-related risks and opportunities 
that could have a potential impact to 
business over short (1–3 years), medium 
(3–5 years) and long-term (5+ years) time 
horizons are as follows:

Climate risks
 – Current regulations  

Many of Hochschild’s customers are 
taking regulatory and/or voluntary 
positions to reduce energy and GHG 
emissions in their operations. Those more 
mature organisations are now requiring 
and pushing for GHG emission reductions 
in the value chain. While Hochschild is 
not yet exposed to these requirements, 
it is understood that this will happen, 
and as such, Hochschild has committed 
investment and demonstrated leadership 
in technology for future growth in 
alignment with intersecting global 
industry megatrends – including 
electrification, software and more. 

 – Emerging regulations  

Mining continues to be a highly 
regulated industry where multiple 
permits are required leading to 
increased delays and costs. Changes in 
the legal, tax and regulatory landscape 
could result in significant additional 
expense, restrictions on or suspensions 
of operations and may lead to delays in 
the development of current operations 
and projects. Carbon regulations, like 
those being established in the UK (net 
zero by 2050), Peru (reducing GHG 
emissions by 30% by 2030), and 
Argentina (absolute, economy-wide 
and unconditional goal of limiting 
greenhouse gas emissions to 313 
MtCO2e (excl. LULUCF) by 2030) are 
likely to directly increase future capital 
costs as Hochschild integrates and 
adopts more energy efficient and lower 
emissions technologies in mining 
operations. Emerging carbon 
regulations will also impact 
operational costs as renewable portfolio 
standards, renewable fuel requirements 
and carbon taxes will directly and 
indirectly increase the cost of fuels 
and energy sources.

 – Technology  

Technological advancements have the 
ability to impact both operational 
competitiveness as well as demand 
for Hochschild’s products. For example, 
the increased adoption of renewable 
energy technologies and electric 
vehicles will likely play a role on the path 
to achieving carbon neutrality and 
increase the demand for Hochschild’s 
metal products. However, operationally, 
off-road vehicle and engine 
manufacturers can be slow to adopt to 
low / no-carbon products and as such, 
there is only a handful of market players 
offering these products. Much like the 
electric light duty vehicle market, this is 

a short-term transition that will be 
mitigated as more manufacturers enter 
the market and the market matures. 
Adopting these technologies has the 
potential to hinder Hochschild’s 
competitiveness in the short term (i.e. 
increase costs and reduce EBITDA) but 
would improve Hochschild’s social 
licence to operate and move the 
organisation towards its climate goals. 
Renewable energy technologies and 
electric vehicles will also likely require 
increased battery demand for energy 
storage which is also a risk in the short 
term as battery storage is relatively 
new; over time, this risk will dissipate.

 – Legal  

If no action is taken on climate change 
and GHG emissions, Hochschild could 
be at risk to climate-related legal action, 
reputational issues (social licence to 
operate) and investor risk which could 
materialise as increased costs, longer 
permitting delays, higher interest loans, 
or reduced access to capital. Given 
what is occurring in jurisdictions such as 
Canada and the US where lawsuits have 
been filed against oil and gas 
companies for climate-related impacts, 
over the medium to long term, should no 
action be taken to reduce / eliminate 
Hochschild’s carbon footprint, there 
could be carbon legal-related risks. To 
date, Hochschild has not experienced 
legal issues regarding climate change 
related issues.

 – Market  

Hochschild is currently evaluating the 
risk of changing demand for its metal 
products under a low- carbon economy. 
Under a 2-degree scenario, it is likely 
that there will be an increase in the 
uptake of battery powered vehicles and 
5G networks which increase the 
demand for silver. Gold demand could 
also play out well under a 2-degree 
scenario as the metal can be used in 
nanomaterial technologies (e.g., 
enhance hydrogen fuel cell 
performance and solar PV) that can 
help facilitate the transition to a 
low-carbon economy. In light of these 
opportunities, Hochschild sees 
a downside of not managing its own 
carbon, environmental and social 
footprint, as under a 2-degree scenario 
customers and investors will expect 
higher ESG performance as part of their 
procurement and investment criteria. 
As previously stated, Hochschild is 
mitigating these risks by developing a 
carbon neutral strategy, a climate risk 
assessment, and continually striving to 
improve organisational ESG 
performance.

 – Reputation  

Poor performance with respect to 
managing the risks and opportunities of 
climate change could result in 
reputational impairment. This could 
lead to public and regulatory opposition 
to Hochschild’s projects and/or 
operations or lead to a potential 
increase in cost-of-capital and 
perceived risk amongst the investor 
community. For example, Hochschild 
may suffer from reputational risk and 
may be liable for losses arising from 
environmental hazards associated with 
its mining activities and production 
methods. In Peru, protests relating to 
mining projects have increased social 
demands and expectations and have 
led to wider social unrest. Communities 
living in the areas surrounding 
Hochschild’s operations may oppose 
the activities carried out at existing 
mines or, with respect to development 
projects and prospects, may invoke 
their rights to be consulted under 
relevant laws. For details on the actions 
taken by the Company to maximise its 
ability to work with partner 
communities, please refer to page 54. 

 – Physical (acute and chronic) 

With respect to Hochschild’s operations, 
climate change will likely result in the 
following risks to operations:
	• Intense rainfall/long duration rainfall 

may result in increased risk of erosion, 
road washouts, overtopping of existing 
tailings dams and flooding in the mines.
	• Chronic drought at some locations may 
result in water shortages for operations 
and the drinking water supply. 
Hochschild has taken water 
conservation measures to address 
these long-term conditions and related 
impacts, such as the use of dry stacked 
tailings and enhancing water recovery 
at its San Jose mine.

	• High winds, snow and ice, and 
electrical storms can damage 
the power transmission system 
supplying the operations. Voltage 
spikes in the power system may cause 
damage to electrical equipment, 
substations, pumps, compressors 
and other equipment.

	• Free-thaw cycles and increasing 

extreme cold temperatures can cause 
water pipes to freeze and ice to form on 
bearing surfaces like roads and ramps.
	• Hochschild is adapting to the physical 

impacts of climate change and 
increasing the resilience of operations 
by incorporating climate scenarios into 
project design and mine closure 
planning. Many of the climate risks 
identified are being addressed through 

policy changes and new monitoring 
programmes at mine sites to track the 
impacts of climate change to 
operations and develop proactive 
policies and operating procedures to 
minimise the impacts to the operations. 
For example, Hochschild has an active 
programme to reduce water 
consumption that enables mines to 
continue to operate in a more water 
scarce environment.

Climate opportunities
 – Increased revenues resulting 
from increased demand for 
products and services  
The demand for Hochschild’s products 
may increase as a consequence of 
regulatory or market curtailments. For 
example, under a 2- degree scenario, 
there will likely be an increase in the 
uptake of battery powered vehicles and 
5G networks which incorporate silver 
and gold in the manufacture of their 
hardware components. Bloomberg 
estimates that by 2040, 55% of vehicles 
on the road will be electric which means 
more demand for silver. Gold will also 
play out well under a 2-degree scenario 
as the metal can be used in 
nanomaterial technologies (e.g., 
enhance hydrogen fuel cell 
performance and solar PV) that can 
help facilitate the transition to a 
low-carbon economy. 

 – Improved market capitalisation  
Investors are demanding that 
companies improve their long-term 
sustainability / ESG performance to 
reduce climatic and climate-related 
risks while improving shareholder value 
and social and environmental well-
being. Current market and shareholder 
pressures with regards to ‘sustainable 
investments’ and consideration of 
climate change in investment could 
potentially impact Hochschild’s share 
price over the medium to long term 
simply on the basis of its ESG rating. 
Hochschild is heavily focused on 
improving its ESG performance. This is 
evidenced by its significantly increased 
reporting on ESG matters, ECO Score 
programme, the commitment to rolling 
out internal training on relevant 
matters; continuing to scale initiatives 
to improve gender diversity across the 
business; strengthening the 
environmental culture; and carefully 
managing climate-related risks and 
their impacts by completing a CRA 
and strategy, and the development 
of a carbon strategy to continually 
reduce its GHG emissions through 
target-setting.

 64  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 65  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationTASK FORCE ON CLIMATE-RELATED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES (TCFD) CONTINUED

 – Fuel-switching/energy-
saving technologies  
Hochschild’s carbon emissions primarily 
result from electricity use in mining and 
processing operations. Operations in 
both Peru and Argentina have a 
favourable GHG emissions intensity 
compared to other gold and silver mines 
globally (2.69 tCO2e/koz Ag eq). This is 
due to the underground nature of the 
mining operations – high grade narrow 
vein mines (which generally have lower 
GHG emissions than larger open pit 
mines which require significantly more 
processing of material) and the 
low-carbon, grid-based electricity 
supply which is around 78% sourced 
from hydro or wind power. However, 
acknowledging the global significance 
of climate change, Hochschild is 
committed to taking the necessary 
measures to continually reduce its 
GHG footprint by evaluating additional 
low-carbon energy options and 
improving the operational energy 
efficiency, which also helps to deliver 
valuable cost savings to the business. 

Recommended Disclosure 4: 
Describe the impact of climate-related 
risks and opportunities on the 
organisation’s businesses, strategy, 
and financial planning

As noted above, both physical and 
transitional risks are impacting and 
will continue to impact Hochschild’s 
operations, businesses, strategy, and 
financial planning. Many of the climate 
risks identified are being addressed 
through policy changes and new 
monitoring programmes at mine sites 
to track the impacts of climate on the 
operations and develop proactive policies 
and operating procedures to minimise 
the impacts to operations. For example, 
climate-related risks such as prolonged 
droughts have been identified in 
Hochschild’s risk management tools and 
have triggered precise plans and budget 
allocations to implement the necessary 
actions to minimise the risk. Dedicated 
teams have been established and time 
schedules set, both of which are 
monitored to assure success.

Hochschild is in the process of completing 
a climate change risk assessment and a 
carbon strategy to put the organisation 
on a path towards net zero operations 

through target-setting. While the 
Company’s approach to mine-planning 
already takes weather patterns into 
account, the completion of a climate risk 
and vulnerability assessment will be used 
to inform the risks to the operations, 
enable the Company to better assess the 
possible financial impacts, and develop 
appropriate mitigation measures to 
mitigate those risks. At this stage, 
however, it can be stated that climate 
change risks are expected, over time, to 
result in increased capital expenditure 
and production costs. Again, over time, 
climate change could also impact the 
average life of mine with consequences 
for the calculations of impairments, 
deferred tax and depreciation. In 
summary, the Company is not yet able 
to quantify the total financial impact of 
climate change on the 2021 financial 
statements but it is not expected to 
be material. 

With regards to future years, the impact 
of climate change is expected to be 
limited as (a) the Group’s approach to 
mine planning already takes into account 
weather patterns, and (b) the Group’s 
average life of mine is no greater than 
8 years whereas climate change risks 
have a longer time horizon. 

Recommended Disclosure 5: 
Describe the resilience of the organisation’s 
strategy, taking into consideration different 
climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C 
or lower scenario

The Company is not yet able to 
definitively state the resilience of its 
strategy until completion of the CRA. 
However, the modelling in the CRA uses 
various greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
scenarios, known as Representative 
Concentration Pathways (RCPs), to 
project future climate variables under 
different concentrations and rates of 
release of GHGs to the atmosphere, as 
well as different global energy balances. 

RCP 8.5 is being used to assess the 
impacts that climate change would have 
on Hochschild’s operations and 
infrastructure. The time horizon has been 
set in alignment with Hochschild’s mines’ 
current operational lives and 
decommissioning phases. 

RCP 2.6 is being used as the <2°C 
Scenario to align with the mid-century 
goals of the Paris Agreement and is being 
used to assess Hochschild’s market 
(electric vehicles), regulatory (e.g., carbon 
pricing), technology and renewable 
energy risks / opportunities (e.g., 
increased adoption of renewables 
resulting in improved ROI) as part of the 
carbon strategy to put the organisation 
on a path towards net zero operations.

Pillar 3 – Risk Management:  
Disclose how the organisation 
identifies, assesses, and manages 
climate-related risks
Recommended Disclosures:
 – 6. Describe the organisation’s processes 
for identifying and assessing climate-
related risk

 – 7. Describe the organisation’s processes 

for managing climate-related risks

 – 8. Describe how processes for identifying, 

assessing, and managing climate-
related risks are integrated into the 
organisation’s overall risk management

Risk management
Climate change risk has been identified 
by the Company as one of the principal 
risks facing the business. As such, the risk 
is monitored on an ongoing basis by 
management and its status as well as 
mitigating actions are reported to the 
Audit Committee and the Board on a 
quarterly basis. For details on Hochschild 
Mining’s general approach to risk 
management and mitigating actions 
taken in 2021, please refer to page 68 
(Risk Management report).

The organisation is in the process 
of completing a climate change risk 
assessment and developing an action 
plan to continually reduce operational 
energy, GHG emissions and water 
consumption, with the ultimate aim 
of reaching net zero GHG emissions. 
This risk assessment and strategy are 
expected to be completed in the first 
quarter of 2022 for adoption in Q2 2022. 
In general terms, with regards to physical 
(chronic and acute) risks, climate change 
may, among other things, cause or result 
in atypical precipitation patterns which 
could lead to overtopping, prolonged 
drought resulting in water shortages for 
operations, and extreme weather events 

(winds) and disruptions to upstream and 
downstream operations. Hochschild is 
adapting to these risks by increasing the 
resilience of operations by incorporating 
climate assessments into project design 
planning as needed. Risks or losses from 
climate change or other natural events 
are being continuously monitored and 
reviewed as part of ongoing operations. 
Where an unacceptable risk is identified, 
asset level mitigation plans are developed 
and are the responsibility of local 
management.

Pillar 4 – Metrics & Targets:  
Disclose the metrics and targets 
used to assess and manage relevant 
climate-related risks and 
opportunities where such 
information is material.
Recommended Disclosures: 
 – 9. Disclose the metrics used by the 

organisation to assess climate-related 
risks and opportunities in line with its 
strategy and risk management process

 – 10. Describe the targets used by the 

organisation to manage climate-related 
risks and opportunities and 
performance against targets

The Sustainability Committee is charged 
with making sure the organisation is 
meeting sustainability and ESG targets. 
To form a link between the organisation 
and environmental performance and 
risks, the ECO Score programme was 
established in 2015, which brings together 
the management/mitigation of 
environment and climate change risks. 
The ECO Score programme incorporates 
quantitative and qualitative indicators 
directly related to environmental 
management, including water 
consumption and waste generation. 
Performance against the annual ECO 
Score objective determines the extent of 
annual bonus pay-outs to eligible 
employees, thereby aligning interests to 
reduce the Company’s environmental 
footprint. The results are shared across 
the Company on a monthly basis.

In 2021, Hochschild’s ECO Score was 5.29 
out of 6, exceeding the stretch target of 
5.00. The 2021 results are independently 
verified by Ernst & Young (‘EY’) following 
the International Standard on Related 
Services (ISRS) 4400. 

Recommended Disclosure 11: 
Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if 
appropriate, Scope 3 greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions, and the related risks

Please refer to page 58 (Environmental 
section of the Sustainability Report) for 
details on the Company’s Scope 1, Scope 
2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions.

For the purposes of Listing Rule 9.8.6R (8), 
we have concluded that, through this 
report (and the parts cross-referred to 
which are incorporated herein by 
reference), the Company has complied 
with the Listing Rules requirements with 
regards to the TCFD Recommendations 
and Recommended Disclosures with the 
exceptions in the table below.

Since 2015, the ECO Score has improved 
by 59%, reflecting a significantly higher 
level of environmental efficiency. 
Hochschild has set a target of 5 out 
of 6 for 2022.

Due to the importance of water and 
climate-related risks, Hochschild 
minimises water consumption as much as 
possible and has set a target of 250 litres 
per person per day of potable water. 
Between 2015 and 2021 the Company 
reduced the consumption of potable 
water by almost 53%.

Another key indicator that forms part 
of the ECO Score is waste generation, 
with a target of 1.5 kg per person per day 
of domestic waste generation. Between 
2015 and 2021 the Company reduced 
its waste generation by 49%.

Energy and GHG emission reduction 
targets, that align with the Science Based 
Targets initiative (SBTi), will be established 
in the carbon strategy that will put the 
organisation on a path towards net 
zero operations. 

Please refer to page 56 on the 
ongoing implementation, in 2021, of the 
Environment Culture Transformation Plan 
which was launched to further embed an 
environmentally conscious culture across 
the Company and assure the long-term 
environmental performance.

TCFD Elements

TCFD Recommended 
Disclosures

Cross-reference/reason 
for non-compliance

Next steps/other 
comments

Pillar 2

Recommended 
disclosure 3

Recommended 
disclosure 5

Pillar 4

Recommended 
disclosures 9 & 10

As the Company is in 
the process of finalising 
its CRA, climate-related 
risks are described in 
general terms only.

As the Company is in 
the process of finalising 
its CRA, the Company 
is unable to definitively 
state the resilience of 
its strategy taking into 
consideration different 
climate-related 
scenarios.

Partial disclosure of 
the metrics and targets 
used by the Company 
to assess/manage 
climate-related risks 
and performance 
against targets

To be progressed on 
completion of the CRA 
in Q1 2022.

 66  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 67  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT

Hochschild’s system of risk management is designed to 
give the Board full visibility of the risks associated with 
the business and the ability to allocate resources to 
take risks within tolerable levels.

Management of the Group’s operations 
and execution of its growth strategies 
are subject to a number of risks, the 
occurrence of which could adversely 
affect the performance of the Group. 
The Group’s risk management framework 
is premised on the continued monitoring 
of the prevailing environment, the risks 
posed by it, and the evaluation of 
potential actions to mitigate those risks.

The Risk Committee is a management 
committee tasked with implementing the 
Group’s policy on risk management and 
monitoring the effectiveness of controls 
in support of the Group’s business 
objectives. It meets four times a year 
and more frequently if required. The Risk 
Committee comprises the CEO, the Vice 
Presidents, Country General Managers 
and the head of the Internal Audit 
function. A ‘live’ risk matrix is reviewed 
which maps the significant risks faced by 
the business as well as those considered 
to be emerging risks. The matrix is 
updated at each Risk Committee 
meeting, and the most significant 
current and emerging risks, as well as 
actions to mitigate them, are reported 
to the Group’s Audit Committee, and 
if considered appropriate, also 
to the Board. In light of their strategic 
importance, sustainability risks and their 
mitigation plans are monitored by the 
Sustainability Committee. 

Risk appetite
Defining risk appetite is crucial in 
ensuring that a risk management 
system is embedded into Hochschild’s 
organisational culture. Our risk appetite 
approach is to minimise our exposure to 
reputational, compliance and excessive 
financial risk, whilst accepting a certain 
level of risk to achieve our strategic goals. 
As part of setting risk appetite, the Board 
will consider and monitor the level of 
acceptable risk it is willing to take in 
each of the principal risk areas. 

Appetite for risk will vary according to the 
activity undertaken, and is predicated on 
the fact that a risk will only be tolerated 
after a full understanding of the potential 
benefits and its implications before 
proceeding with a course of action, and 
that sensible mitigation measures are 
identified and implemented. 

Covid-19
As reported in the 2020 Annual Report, 
in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, 
Hochschild Mining established a Crisis 
Committee which oversaw the 
implementation of the Covid-19 Crisis 
Plan. This plan resulted in the instigation 
of, among other things, enhanced health 
protocols designed to prioritise employee 
welfare. In 2021 the protocols on testing 
and social distancing measures at the 
operations remained in place to control 
the spread of the virus among employees.

2021 Risks
Details of the principal and emerging risks 
affecting the Group and the associated 
mitigating actions are provided on the 
following pages. The risks differ from 
those reported in the 2020 Annual Report 
in the following respects:

 – Acknowledging the reduced impact of 
Covid-19 on the Group’s principal risks 
in 2021, Covid-19 has this year been 
presented as a separate risk; and

 – The inclusion of Climate Change as 
a new risk which, as described later, 
discusses both the impact on the 
business of the physical aspects of 
climate change, as well as the impact 
on the Group in light of the transition 
to a low–carbon economy which may 
include increased costs of compliance 
and governance.

Reasons for the year-on-year change in 
the profile of a specific risk can be found 
in the commentary section of the relevant 
risk, which also provides an outlook on the 
risk for the current financial year.

Outlook 
At the time of approval of this Annual 
Report, the number of new daily cases in 
Peru and Argentina is falling from a 
recent peak due to the Omicron variant 
which, although more transmissible, is 
resulting in a much lower proportion of 
severe illness.

The Company continues to monitor 
the situation and, as described later 
in this report, is able to scale up the 
implementation of the Covid-19 Crisis 
Plan as required.

Identify

Measure

Manage

Monitor

Report

Risk heat map

h
g
H

i

t
c
a
p
m

I

w
o
L

Low

To assist the reader in assessing the relative 
significance of each risk discussed in this section, 
the heat map (right) indicates the Board’s 
assessment of the likelihood of the unmitigated 
risk occurring as well as the extent of the impact 
on the Group.

The key to the map indicates how the profile of a 
risk has changed (whether in terms of impact or 
probability) relative to the prior year. 

1.   

2.   

3.   

4.   

5.   

6.   

7.    

8.   

9.   

10.  

11. 

   Commodity price

   Commercial counterparty

   Operational performance

   Business interruption/supply chain

   Information security 
and cybersecurity

   Exploration and reserve and resource 
replacement

   Personnel: recruitment  
and retention

   Personnel: labour relations

   Political, legal and regulatory

   Health and safety

   Covid-19

12 . 

   Environmental

13.   N   Climate change

14.  

  Community relations

Unchanged

Higher

Lower

N New

6

9

14

10

11

12

8

1

2

4

7

5

3

13

Probability

High

2021 risk assessment

 68  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 69  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

2Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationRISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Change in risk profile vs 2020  

Unchanged

Higher

Lower

N New

Financial risks

Risk

1  

Commodity 
price

See the Market 
Review on pages 
10 to 13 for further 
details on how 
commodity prices 
performed in 2021

2  
Commercial 
counterparty

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

Adverse movements in 
precious metal prices 
could materially impact 
the Group in various ways 
beyond a reduction in the 
financial results of 
operations. These include 
impacts on the feasibility 
of projects, the economics 
of mineral resources, 
heightened personnel 
retention and sustainability 
related risks.

 – Constant focus on maintaining 
a low all-in sustaining cost of 
production and an efficient level 
of administrative expense.

 – Policy to maintain low levels of 
financial leverage to ensure 
flexibility through price cycles.

 – Flexible hedging policy that 

allows the Company to contract 
hedges to mitigate the effect of 
price movements taking into 
account the Group’s asset mix 
and forecast production.

Insolvency of a customer or 
other business counterparty 
(bank, insurance company, 
contractor, etc) could result 
in the Group’s inability to 
collect accounts receivable 
or to access funds or to 
receive services which 
could adversely impact the 
Group’s profitability.

 – Active assessment of customers 
and business counterparties.

 – Risk mitigation practices 

seeking to diversify the Group’s 
customer base and/or to limit 
the size of shipments.

 – Ongoing assessment of methods 

to mitigate collection risk.

The Group’s principal strategy to mitigate against commodity 
price volatility is focused on conserving capital and optimising cash 
flow through:

 – controlling operating and administrative costs;
 – optimising sustaining capital expenditure; and
 – maintaining low working capital.

As reported in the Financial Review, the Group increased borrowing by 
an additional $100m under its medium-term facility. 

The Group has ended the year with a net cash position and is therefore 
in a robust financial position.

As previously reported, in early February 2021 the Group hedged 4 
million ounces of silver for both 2021 and 2022 at an average price of 
c.$27 per ounce to protect cash flows in Peru. In addition, in November 
2021, the Group hedged 3.3 million ounces of silver for 2023 at $25 per 
ounce. These hedges will ensure profitable production from existing 
resources mainly at Pallancata while brownfield exploration efforts 
continue to add near-term resources.

During the year, the Group undertook the following:

 – Annual counterparty analysis: The annual review of existing customers 

incorporated analysis of corporate governance, balance sheet 
strength and other aspects of credit quality. Although the 
counterparty risk analysis did not raise any material issues, we 
continue to require customers to make advance payments for 90% 
- 98% of the amount sold. We also obtained parent guarantees;
 – Review of financial counterparties: The Group has implemented 

policies to identifying suitable financial counterparties to support the 
Group’s treasury and insurance needs. On an ongoing basis, the 
Group has adopted a number of practices such as the placing of 
limits on cash balances invested with financial institutions, monitoring 
of advanced payments from customers and ensuring diversification. 

Operational risks

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

3  
Operational 
performance

Failure to meet production 
targets and manage the 
cost base could adversely 
impact the Group’s 
profitability.

4  
Business 
interruption/ 
supply chain

Assets used in the Group’s 
operations may cease to 
function or the provision of 
supplies or of electricity 
may be disrupted (e.g. 
as a result of technical 
malfunction or earthquake 
damage) thereby causing 
production stoppages 
with material effects.

 – Close monitoring of operational 
performance, costs and capital 
expenditure as well as the 
overall profitability at all stages 
of the mining value chain.

 – Monitoring the adequacy and 

safety of key mining components 
such as tailing dams, waste rock 
deposits and pipelines in close 
liaison with relevant departments 
ensuring that procurement, 
construction and permitting are 
undertaken appropriately.

In 2021 the Group benefited from a year of uninterrupted operations 
enabling it to meet its production target for the year of 31.2m silver 
equivalent ounces. 

In setting budgets for the year, the Group continued to focus on 
maintaining controlled levels of costs, capital expenditure and expenses. 

As reported in the Financial Review from page 36, the all-in sustaining 
cost from operations was in line with guidance for the year, at $14.4 
per silver equivalent ounce (excluding exceptional items including 
Covid costs).

 – Insurance coverage to protect 

against major risks.

In addition to maintaining insurance policies covering machinery 
breakdown, mitigating actions during the year include the following:

 – Management reporting 

systems to support appropriate 
levels of inventory.

 – Inspections every 18 months 
(to coincide with renewal) by 
insurance brokers and insurers 
assist management’s efforts to 
understand and mitigate 
operational risks.

 – Negotiation of long-term 
power supply contracts 
and the procurement of 
contingent generators.

 – A thorough review of critical supplies and inventory was performed 
with data uploaded onto the Maintenance Module of SAP HANA;

 – Maintaining back-up equipment to ensure power supply in Peru and 

Argentina; and

 – A Crisis Response Plan (‘CRP’) was developed in 2019 with the 

support of external consultants. Management received training on 
the CRP in Q1 2020 on how to mount a co-ordinated response to 
unforeseen disruption.

Specifically with regards to supply chain risks, the Company:

 – has identified alternative suppliers;
 – has increased its stocks of critical consumables and strategic spare 

parts; and 

 – maintains ongoing dialogue with vendors and shippers.

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

5  
Information 
security and 
cybersecurity

Failure of any of the Group’s 
business critical information 
systems as a result of 
unauthorised access by third 
parties may affect the 
Group’s ability to operate.

6  
Exploration 
and reserve 
and resource 
replacement

The Group’s future operating 
margins and profitability 
depend upon its ability to find 
mineral resources and to 
replenish reserves.

 – Compliance with ISO 27001, 

an internationally recognised 
certification to evaluate 
information security 
management systems.

 – Dedicated team within the IT 

department focused on 
preventing cyber-attacks.

 – Audits performed by the internal 

audit department and third 
parties to test systems and issue 
recommendations.
 – Primary information 

processing supported by SAP 
Hana which has best-in-class 
security features

 – Implementing and 

maintaining an annual 
exploration drilling plan.

 – Ongoing evaluation of 

acquisition and joint venture 
opportunities to acquire 
additional ounces.
 – Implementation of a 

comprehensive permitting 
strategy led by a Permitting 
Committee.

 – Comprehensive engagement 

activities with communities and 
governmental authorities (see 
later sections on 
Macroeconomic and 
Sustainability risks).

Reserves stated in this Annual 
Report are estimates.

Inability to attract or retain 
personnel through a shortage 
of skilled personnel.

 – Engagement of independent 
experts to undertake annual 
audit of mineral reserve and 
resource estimates.

 – Adherence to the JORC Code 

and guidelines therein.

 – The Group’s approach to 
recruitment and retention 
provides for the payment of 
competitive compensation 
packages, well defined career 
plans, training and development 
opportunities and the overall 
employee value proposition.

7  
Personnel: 
recruitment 
and retention

For further details 
see the Directors’ 
Remuneration 
Report on 
page 104

Security of the Group’s network infrastructure is assured through the 
following means:

 – The inclusion of industrial networks into the Group’s IS Management 
System (‘ISMS’) which accordingly benefit from associated security 
enhancements;

 – SMS received BSI certification; and 
 – The implementation of the principal recommendations arising from 

an ethical hacking assessment. 

To counter the heightened risks as a result of the widespread use of 
remote working, the Group has adopted use of VPN software, enhanced 
security monitoring efforts and upgraded anti-spam software for use 
with corporate email services. In addition, internal communication 
campaigns were launched to ensure best practices in remote working.

General
The Group has an internal Permitting Committee led by two Vice 
Presidents to co-ordinate efforts with a view to streamlining the 
permitting process for exploration and operational requirements. 
Senior executives actively participate in industry initiatives to simplify 
the permitting process.

Greenfield exploration is primarily conducted through the negotiation 
of earn-in/joint venture opportunities. These provide the Group with a 
balanced portfolio of advanced and early-stage opportunities in stable 
jurisdictions in the Americas.

Developments during the year
As described elsewhere in the Annual Report, social conditions in Peru 
have worsened leading to higher social demands and social conflicts 
involving mining projects. This has led to delays in securing permits from 
the communities, impacting the Group’s exploration programme.

Following events in southern Ayacucho in November 2021 (as described in 
the commentary of Political, legal and regulatory risks), the risk of delay in 
the granting of environmental permits for exploration in Ayacucho, where 
Pallancata and Inmaculada are located, has increased substantially.

Further details on brownfield exploration are provided on pages 33 and 
34 and in relation to greenfield projects, on page 34.

The Group has engaged P&E Consultants to undertake the annual audit 
of mineral reserve and resource estimates.

See page 198 for further details.

The Group has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve the 
retention of employees. These include the use of non-financial benefits 
(e.g. flexible working arrangements for office-based staff) and tailored 
personal development plans. In addition to the five-year Leadership 
programme implemented at all operations, a new Leadership model 
aligned with the Company’s culture is being deployed.
Training programmes for supervisors and hourly workers continued to 
be delivered virtually during 2021.
Enhancing the Group’s employee value proposition includes the 
launching of initiatives related to causes that are valued by employees; 
providing employees with the opportunity to contribute to the 
relaunched purpose of the Company which includes innovation, 
community relations and environmental performance.
To assist retention of key personnel, the Company has a Long-Term 
Incentive Plan. 

8  
Personnel: 
labour 
relations

Failure to maintain good 
labour relations with workers 
and/or unions may result in 
work slowdown, stoppage 
or strike.

 – Development of a tailored 
labour relations strategy 
focusing on profit sharing, 
working conditions, 
management style, 
development opportunities, 
motivation and communication.

 – Monthly meetings with 

mineworkers and unions to 
ensure a complete 
understanding of expectations 
and to keep all parties updated 
on the Group’s financial 
performance.

Peru
The Group’s Peruvian operation generated sufficient taxable income to 
give rise to an entitlement to statutory profit sharing for Peruvian 
mineworkers.

In keeping with recent practice, as part of the salary increases agreed 
with the Peruvian labour unions, the Company has approved an 
additional bonus plan incorporating safety and productivity goals.

The left-wing Castillo administration, elected in July 2021, has expressed 
its support for the country’s labour unions and the right for employees 
to strike. This has resulted in an increased risk in labour relations overall 
relative to 2020.

Argentina
In Argentina the Company maintains constructive relations with the 
labour unions through ongoing and regular dialogue. 

 70  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 71  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Macro-economic risks 

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

9  
Political, legal 
and regulatory

 – Local specialist personnel 

continually monitor and react, 
as necessary, to policy changes. 
In addition, political, social and 
communications advisers have 
been engaged to support the 
Group in responding to 
developments.

 – Participation in local industry 

organisations.

Changes in the political, 
legal, tax and regulatory 
landscape could result in 
significant additional 
expense, restrictions on or 
suspensions of operations 
and may lead to delays in 
the development of current 
operations and projects.

Delays in granting/securing 
the necessary environmental 
permits for exploration or 
operations could affect future 
production and financial 
results of the Group.

Peru
General
After suffering from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 
2020, the first half of the year saw political uncertainty in Peru in the lead 
up to the Presidential elections. The second round of voting in June 
polarised the country along political lines and saw a contested victory 
by Pedro Castillo of the left-wing Free Peru party who was inaugurated 
in late July 2021.

On assuming office, President Castillo announced his government’s 
intentions to increase state participation in the economy and to form 
a constituent assembly to oversee constitutional reform. The 
government’s stated focus with regards to the mining sector was to 
implement a policy of enhancing ‘social profitability’ which would see 
mining companies facilitating the promotion of local development, 
increasing State revenues and facilitating the redistribution of wealth. 
President Castillo has appointed four successive Prime Ministers who 
have been vocal proponents of the government’s stated objectives. 

With the arrival of the new administration, mining has become highly 
politicised and has prompted many social conflicts with local 
communities seeking to capitalise on the Government’s commitments 
during the presidential campaign and election (see commentary on 
Community relations risks for further details). In line with its election 
campaign pledge, the Executive sought to increase taxes on the mining 
industry but failed to seek the requisite authority from Congress.

The Coracora Act
As announced by the Company, in November 2021, a meeting by 
the Head of Cabinet and certain vice-ministers in a town in southern 
Ayacucho resulted in the publication of minutes (the ‘Coracora Act’) 
which (a) alleged undisclosed environmental complaints, and (b) 
established a commission (the ‘Executive Commission’) to negotiate 
the timetable and terms for the closure and withdrawal of certain 
mining projects in southern Ayacucho including the Company’s 
Pallancata and Inmaculada mines. It was further announced that 
approvals would no longer be granted to authorise additional mining, 
exploration, or expansion activities in relation to these mines.

In response to protests from the industry, the business community 
in general and other organisations, official statements were issued 
expressing the Government’s commitment to upholding the rule of 
law and acknowledging the continued rights of mining companies to 
request extensions and modifications of existing permits for mining 
and exploration activities.

In mid-December 2021, the Government announced its intention to 
issue, before the end of the year, a decree formalising the Executive 
Commission. In mid-January 2022, a temporary working group for 
the development of certain provinces in southern Ayacucho was 
established to oversee the implementation of the Coracora Act.

Environmental permits
With regards to environmental permits for operating activities, 
the Group was expecting to hold the virtual townhall in mid-
December 2021 in connection with the second modification of the 
detailed Environmental Impact Study (‘EIS’) for Inmaculada. Less 
than 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of the event, the Company 
was notified by the relevant authority (SENACE) of its cancellation 
citing safety concerns. The Company believes that this decision was 
premature and unfounded and it made its position known to the 
relevant officials and authorities.

As a result, the virtual townhall had to be rescheduled and was held 
on 12 February 2022 which, in turn, will cause the EIS approval process 
to be delayed, potentially impacting future mine developments and 
production at Inmaculada. The virtual townhall was held successfully 
and the EIS approval process continues to advance, with approval 
expected during H2 2022. 

Argentina
President Fernandez’s administration has been very cautious in 
supporting and promoting the mining industry. Covid-19 and certain 
populist measures have negatively impacted the overall investment 
climate in Argentina including in the extractive industry sector. 

Mid-term congressional elections in November 2021 saw the ruling 
Peronist Government lose its majority in Congress as well as the key 
stronghold of Buenos Aires province.

9  
Political, legal 
and regulatory 
continued

2022 Outlook
Peru 
The political outlook for 2022 in Peru remains uncertain with 
opponents to mining accusing the Castillo Government of reneging on 
its commitments in the Coracora Act and calling for strikes and other 
action. Accordingly, the risk of stoppage has increased substantially, 
as well as the granting of new permits for explorations and operations 
under complex social conditions. In addition, with regional and local 
elections scheduled for October 2022, the risk of further political turmoil 
and polarisation remains high. 

The Government has announced that it plans to submit a legislative bill 
to Congress to increase taxes on the mining sector during the first 
quarter of 2022.

Argentina
President Fernandez’s administration is expected to continue cautiously 
supporting mining activity, however its approach will be influenced by 
the dynamics within the coalition government and the general state of 
the economy which is expected to be dominated by high rates of 
inflation and limited growth. 

Sustainability risks

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

10  
Health and 
safety

Group employees working in 
the mines may be exposed to 
severe health and safety risks.

Failure to manage these risks 
may result in occupational 
illness, accidents, a work 
slowdown, stoppage or strike 
and/or may damage the 
reputation of the Group and 
hence its ability to operate.

 – Health & Safety operational 

policies and procedures reflect 
the Group’s zero tolerance 
approach to accidents.

 – Use of world-class DNV safety 

management systems.

 – Dedicated personnel to ensure 
the safety of employees at the 
operations via stringent 
controls, training and prevention 
programmes.

 – Systematic programme of 
training, communication 
campaigns and other initiatives 
promoting safe working 
practices.

 – Use of reporting and 

management information 
systems to monitor the 
incidence of accidents and 
enable preventative measures 
to be implemented.

The Group reported two fatalities at its operations during 2021 which 
occurred at the San Jose and Aclara sites. For further details on the 
investigation of these accidents, please refer to the Sustainability Report 
on pages 59 and 60.

During the year, there was a particularly tragic traffic accident involving 
a bus operated by one of our contractors resulting in the loss of 26 lives. 
The Group worked together with the contractor in question and the 
relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to collectively 
mitigate the risk of such a tragic accident from recurring.

Management continued with the implementation of ‘Safety 2.0’, an 
action plan to reinforce a safety-first culture. The plan, which combines 
technical and people-led approaches, comprises seven key attributes 
covering training, effective communication, recognition and aligning 
compensation with measurable safety performance. 

In addition, during the year:

 – a new internal safety indicator, the Seguscore, was developed for 

roll-out in 2023; and

 – the Health team partnered with the Community Relations team to visit 

local families to promote early childhood development.

For further details on the above, please refer to the safety section of the 
Sustainability Report on pages 59 and 60.

 – Covid-19 Crisis Plan

11  
Covid-19

Another wave of infections, 
whether in general in Peru/
Argentina, or localised at the 
Group’s operations, could 
result in a) operational 
disruption or stoppages (e.g. 
due to personnel shortage, 
disruption in the supply chain 
etc), b) increased costs and c) 
reputational risks. 

Secondary Covid-19 risks 
include legal risks (e.g. 
litigation from suppliers/ 
contractors), permitting 
delays, IT risks (in light of 
increased reliance on IT 
systems) and fraud risk 
due to increased use of 
remote working.

Management designed and implemented the Covid-19 Crisis Plan 
following the outbreaks in 2020 (further details of which can be found in 
the 2020 Annual Report). The protocols in the Crisis Plan continue to be 
largely in place and can be scaled up at short notice on the signs of an 
increase in the level of infections. In summary, these protocols include:

 – a comprehensive testing programme;
 – the increased presence of medical personnel and availability of 

medical facilities;

 – the redeployment of high-risk employees;
 – the adaptation of working areas and transportation;
 – the use of technology-based systems to monitor cases and support 

the logistics related to shift changes; and

 – adapting the focus and style of delivery of our Community 

Relations programmes.

As reported in the 2020 Annual Report, a tailored Covid-19 risk matrix 
was compiled which, in addition to forming the basis of the operating 
protocols referred to above, also established mitigating actions with 
regards to secondary Covid-19 risks.

During 2021, the Company took a number of steps to increase its level of 
preparedness through:

 – the commissioning of an audit of its biosecurity protocols which were 

certified by Bureau Veritas; and

 – the procurement of stocks of medication, personal protective 

equipment and testing kits.

 72  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 73  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationRISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Sustainability risks continued

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Commentary

12  
Environmental

The Group may suffer from 
reputational risk and may 
be liable for losses arising 
from environmental hazards 
associated with the Group’s 
activities and production 
methods, ageing 
infrastructure, or may 
be required to undertake 
corrective actions or 
extensive remedial 
clean-up action or pay 
for governmental 
remedial clean-up actions 
or be subject to fines and/
or penalties.

 – The Group has a dedicated 

team responsible for 
environmental management.

 – The Group has adopted a 
number of policies and 
procedures to manage its 
environmental footprint.

 – The Group has developed a tool 
which allows it to measure and 
manage environmental 
performance.

 – The Group continues to adopt 
measures to minimise natural 
resource use, with particular 
emphasis on water 
consumption in its operations.
 – A specific tailings management 
framework is in place for TSFs, 
including independent 
third-party review.

In 2021, the Group performed highly in its ECO Score (with a score of 5.29 
out of 6 (2020: 5.74)), reflecting the following notable achievements:

 – Four operations achieving a perfect score of 6 out of 6 (Inmaculada, 

San Jose, Pallancata and Arcata);

 – The lowest water consumption since 2015;
 – The lowest amount of waste generated since 2015 (0.98 kg/person/day);
 – The highest level of environmental culture compliance (using an 

internal scoring system).

In addition, during the year:

 – the Environmental team had an unprecedented year in terms of 

reporting on the Group’s environmental performance by participating 
in numerous reporting initiatives;

 – there was continued progress with the implementation of the 

Environment Culture Transformation Plan (ECTP) which, in 2021, 
focused on people, innovation and technology; and

 – as part of the ECTP, 85 environmental ambassadors were appointed 
across the operations in Peru and Argentina tasked with promoting a 
robust environmental culture across the organisation.

As disclosed in the Operational risks, the Group has published 
information on its website regarding its TSFs, including their 
construction method and risk profile. It also continues to commission 
independent third-party reviews of all such facilities and monitors on 
an ongoing basis their stability, with particular emphasis on older 
TSFs such as the Ares facility which is in the process of being closed. 
The independent review conducted in 2021 did not identify any 
material issues.

For further details, please refer to the environmental section of the 
Sustainability Report on pages 56 to 58.

13  
Climate 
change

N

Read our 
2021 TCFD Report 
from page 64. 

Changes in climate and 
weather patterns, including 
the occurrence of extreme 
weather events such as 
higher rainfall, droughts, and 
storm conditions, may cause 
operational disruption and, at 
worse, could result in a 
suspension of operations. 

Failure to comply with 
climate-related laws and 
regulations could result in 
reputational risks for the 
Group, increased costs and 
longer permitting delays. 

Lack of climate change 
actions could result in 
restricted access to capital.

 – Enhanced management 
oversight and operating 
protocols to:
 – maximise the use of natural 
resources and minimise 
energy consumption.

 – monitor weather projections 
for operations, incorporating 
weather assessments in 
operating applications.
 – Promoting transparency with 

regards to the Group’s 
performance through 
participation in investor-led 
reporting initiatives.

Actions taken in 2021 include:

 – The recognition of climate-change related risks on the Group 

Risk Register resulting in the monitoring of mitigating actions by 
the Risk Committee, Sustainability Committee and, as appropriate, 
by the Board;

 – Increasing the percentage of recycled water used in processing 

plants at Inmaculada and San Jose;

 – Assessing purchasing increased levels of energy from 

renewable sources.

Reporting of the Group’s performance has been enhanced through:

 – external assurance of the calculation of the Group’s carbon footprint 

at operations;

 – participation in CDP information request; and
 – voluntary TCFD disclosure in respect of 2020.

The 2022 Action Plan includes, most notably, the launch of Hochschild’s 
Carbon Neutral strategy. 

14  
Community 
relations

Communities living in the 
areas surrounding the 
Group’s operations may 
oppose the activities carried 
out at existing mines or, with 
respect to development 
projects and prospects, may 
invoke their rights to be 
consulted under new laws.

These actions may result in 
loss of production, increased 
costs and decreased 
revenues, longer lead times, 
additional costs for 
exploration and have an 
adverse impact on the 
Group’s ability to obtain the 
relevant permits.

 – The Group has a dedicated 

team responsible for 
Community Relations.

 – Constructive engagement 
with local communities 
based on several years of 
positive relations.

 – Community Relations strategy 

focuses on promoting 
education, health and nutrition, 
and sustainable development.
 – Policy to actively recruit workers 

from local communities.

 – Policy of hiring service providers 

from local communities.

 – The Group has also engaged 
with local governments to 
support public investment 
initiatives through technical 
assistance and direct 
investment.

Overall
The overall social climate has become markedly hostile to mining 
since July 2021 as the promises made by the governing party during 
the presidential campaign resulted in increased and unrealistic 
expectations. Social conflicts have led to the temporary stoppage 
of major mining operations such as Las Bambas and Antamina. In 
addition, in October 2021, violent protests against the Apumayo mining 
unit in Southern Ayacucho led to the attack and burning down of 
Apumayo’s camp and certain mining infrastructure.

The Group experienced brief stoppages at Pallancata and Inmaculada 
but they did not affect production during the year. However, social 
conflicts have led to the stoppage of certain of the Group’s exploration 
projects in Peru, such as Corina and Huacullo. 

As described earlier (in relation to political, legal and regulatory risks), 
given the actions of the Government in Southern Ayacucho since 
November 2021, the political and social risks have increased 
substantially as the Government has further raised expectations which, 
if not met, could lead to further acts of violence and attempts to disrupt 
mining operations in general.

Governmental authorities remain very sensitive to conflicts between 
communities and mining companies and typically take a cautious 
approach by prioritising dialogue between parties and supporting 
social demands regardless of their merit.

Hochschild developments 
The Group continues to implement its social engagement strategy in 
recognition of its responsibilities to host communities. The Group 
invested significant resources to understand the needs and 
expectations of local communities and governments. 

During the year:

 – the Group spent or donated $5.4m to benefit local communities and 

supported local community-run businesses; 

 – we continued to support the communities with a wide range of 

programmes covering our areas of focus: education, health and 
nutrition, and sustainable development;

 – the Community Relations team continued to support the business, for 
example, by successfully securing surface rights and concluding prior 
consultation processes to facilitate exploration activities.

Further details can be found in the Sustainability Report from page 54.

 74  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 75  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationVIABILITY STATEMENT

In accordance with provision 31 of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
the Directors have assessed the 
viability of the Group taking into 
account the Group’s current position 
and principal risks.

Period of Viability Statement
The Directors have reviewed the length 
of time to be covered by the Viability 
Statement, particularly given its primary 
purpose of providing investors with a view 
of financial viability that goes beyond the 
period of the Going Concern statement.

It has been concluded that three years is 
the appropriate time horizon in light of:

 – the inherent uncertainty of longer-term 
forecasting in a cyclical industry which, 
in the case of precious metals, is largely 
driven by global macro-economic 
factors; and

 – the large number of external variables 
that need to be taken into account in 
establishing any meaningful forecast of 
the Group’s business.

Approach to assessing viability
In assessing the Group’s viability, the 
Directors have considered a number 
of scenarios affecting the Inmaculada 
mine which are within reasonable 
contemplation taking into account the 
principal risks to which the Group is 
exposed (as set out in the earlier part 
of this report). 

In their assessment of the financial 
impact of each of the above scenarios, 
the Directors made the same 
assumptions as those used for the 
Remote Scenario in the Going Concern 
analysis, namely:

 – conservative prices of Au: $1,396/oz 

and Ag: $18.6/oz (the ‘Assumed Prices’);

 – operational forecasts are in line with 

the life of mine plans which incorporate 
planned 10% reductions in operating 
and capital expenditure in response to 
low precious metal prices;

 – debt repayments in 2022 and 2023 will 

proceed as planned;

 – all necessary operational permits will 
be obtained such that operations 
can continue without limitation;

 – that the Group will incur incremental 

Covid-related expenses in 2022 as part 
of business as usual operations;

 – the suspension of exploration 

expenditure and dividends (from 2023 
onwards) until the end of the three-year 
period; and

 – in the cases where a scenario envisages 
a mine or plant stoppage which results 
in a delay in production, production will 
be recovered once plant capacity 
becomes available, albeit after the 
three-year time horizon. 

Inmaculada, which is the Group’s biggest 
asset, represents over 75% of the Group’s 
cash flows. The application of the 
scenarios at the Group’s other operations 
would have a significantly reduced 
impact on the Group. 

The following scenarios were analysed:

Scenario 1: A community-led protest 
blocks a principal road to/from the mine
A protest by a local community 
obstructs the access road to 
Inmaculada for two months. The impact 
analysis takes into account the cost of 
negotiating a settlement and other 
associated expenses.

Scenario 2: A significant increase in the 
level of Covid-19 infections
Peru faces a significant increase in 
Covid-19 infections and a severe 
outbreak at Inmaculada results in a 
one-month stoppage of operations and 
Covid-related expenses being incurred.

Scenario 3: A strike by mineworkers
A widespread mineworkers’ strike 
results in a suspension of operations 
for one month. The impact analysis 
takes into account the cost of 
negotiating a settlement and other 
associated expenses.

Scenario 4: The occurrence of a material 
safety accident
A severe fatal accident occurs 
which results in a one-month stoppage 
of operations.

The impact analysis takes into account 
other financial liabilities that may result 
including the cost of remedial work and 
regulatory fines.

Scenario 5: The occurrence of a material 
environmental incident
A key part of Inmaculada’s plant 
infrastructure is compromised 
which results in a major spillage 
of contaminants. The impact analysis 
assumes a suspension of operations 
of one month and takes into account 
the cost of repairs, remediation and 
regulatory fines and other 
associated expenses.

Scenario 6: The failure of the mill or other 
critical plant component
A major failure of one of the mills at 
Inmaculada’s plant causes a stoppage 
of six months which requires civil works, 
repairs and the acquisition of spare 
equipment. The impact analysis takes 
into account the cost of the works 
and replacement costs as well as 
contributions from relevant 
insurance policies.

In their assessment of the financial 
impact of each of the above scenarios, 
the Directors concluded that upon the 
occurrence of one of the scenarios, the 
Company would be viable. Taking into 
account the causes of operational 
stoppages in the past and the extent of 
the disruption caused, the Directors are of 
the opinion that a combination of two or 
more of the above scenarios taking place 
concurrently is remote.

Should prices fall further than the 
Assumed Prices or the scenarios in reality 
are more severe than those modelled or a 
combination of scenarios occurs, the 
Board would oversee the implementation 
of mitigating actions which include:

 – reducing operating and capital 

expenditure by more than 10% (including 
through delaying construction of the 
Posse Gold Mine subject to completion 
of the Company’s acquisition of Amarillo 
Gold Corporation);

 – the use of lines of credit with 

relationship banks noting that over 
$200m of working capital credit lines 
were already available;

 – refinancing the $300m medium-term 

facility in 2024; and

 – other measures such as pay-outs under 

insurance policies, working capital 
management, asset sales and 
commodity price hedging.

For examples of the mitigating actions 
taken by the Board during the year 
under review, please refer to the 
commentary in the Risk Management 
section of this report.

Conclusion
While it is always possible that 
combinations of weak precious metal 
prices and the occurrence of more than 
one of the above referenced scenarios 
could threaten the solvency and liquidity 
of the Company over the next three years, 
such combinations are considered to be 
remote. The Directors have therefore 
assessed the impact of each scenario, 
using the Assumed Prices and other 
factors considered to be reasonable, and, 
accordingly, can confirm that they have 
a reasonable expectation that the 
Company will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its obligations 
over the next three years.

Non-financial information regulation
Under sections 414CA and 414CB of the 
Companies Act 2006, as amended by The 
Companies, Partnerships and Groups 
(Accounts and Non-Financial Reporting) 
Regulations 2016, the Strategic Report 
must contain a non-financial information 
statement. This can be found in the 
Supplementary Information section 
on page 103. 

The Strategic Report, as set out from 
pages 2 to 77, has been reviewed and 
approved by the Board of Directors and 
signed on its behalf by: 

Ignacio Bustamante 
Chief Executive Officer  
22 February 2022

 76  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 77  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Audit Committee

Nomination Committee

Remuneration Committee

Sustainability Committee

Chair

Gender of Directors
on the Board

Tenure of Independent 
Non-Executive Directors

Eduardo Hochschild 
Chairman

Ignacio Bustamante 
Chief Executive Officer

Dr Graham Birch 
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Jorge Born Jr. 
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Jill Gardiner  
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Eileen Kamerick  
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Tracey Kerr  
Independent  
Non-Executive Director 

Michael Rawlinson  
Senior Independent 
Director 

Dionisio Romero 
Paoletti  
Non-Executive Director 

Raj Bhasin  
Company Secretary

Appointed to the Board 
in 2006. 

Appointed to the Board 
in August 2020.

Appointed to the Board in 
November 2016.

Appointed to the Board in 
December 2021. 

Appointed to the Board in 
2016 and as Senior 
Independent Director in 
January 2018.

Appointed to the Board in 
January 2018, and will retire 
at the 2022 AGM. 

Joined the Group and 
appointed Company 
Secretary in 2007.

†

†

†

†

Joined the Group in 1987 and 
appointed Chairman in 2006.

Appointed to the Board  
in 2010.

Key skills and competencies
 – Over 30 years’ involvement 

Key skills and competencies
 – Significant operational 

with the Group
 – Extensive board 

experience of companies 
in Latin America

 – Proven ability to implement 
long-term strategies in both 
the non-profit and 
corporate sectors

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Cementos 
Pacasmayo S.A.A. (Chairman). 
Non-profit: UTEC (Chairman), 
TECSUP, Museum of 
Contemporary Art, Lima 
(Chairman), Conferencia 
Episcopal Peruana.
Previous experience
Eduardo joined the 
Hochschild Group in 1987 as 
Safety Assistant at the Arcata 
unit, becoming Head of the 
Hochschild Mining Group 
in 1998. 
Eduardo is the Company’s 
largest shareholder with a 
c.38% interest.

experience

 – Extensive knowledge of 
financial and general 
management

 – Strong leadership skills 

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Non-Executive 
Director of Profuturo AFP and 
Scotiabank Peru S.A.A.
Previous experience
Ignacio previously served as 
Chief Operating Officer and 
General Manager of the 
Group’s Peruvian operations. 
Prior to that, Ignacio worked 
for Zemex Corporation 
between 2003 and 2007, first 
as Chief Financial Officer and 
Vice President of Business 
Development, and later as 
President. Between 1998 and 
2003 Ignacio served as Chief 
Financial Officer of Cementos 
Pacasmayo S.A.A.

†

Appointed to the Board in 
July 2011 and will retire at the 
2022 AGM. Designated 
Non-Executive Director for 
workforce engagement.

Key skills and competencies
 –  Geology (PhD from the 
Royal School of Mines, 
Imperial College, London)
 – Extensive knowledge of the 
operational and technical 
aspects of mining 

 – In-depth knowledge of the 
precious metals sector  

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Non-Executive 
Director of Sprott Inc.
Non-profit: Lawes 
Agricultural Trust.
Previous experience
Graham started his 25-year 
career as a mining equity 
analyst and then as a 
portfolio manager in the 
mining and gold sectors. He 
was subsequently appointed 
a Director of BlackRock 
Commodities Investment 
Trust plc and acted as 
manager of BlackRock’s 
World Mining Trust and Gold 
and General Unit Trust.

Key skills and competencies
 – Extensive experience of 
managing international 
businesses

 – Deep understanding of 
socio-political issues in 
Latin America

 – Corporate finance 

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Consult & Co. 
(President and CEO), 
Caldenes S.A., Dufry AG 
(Deputy Chairman).
Non-profit: Bunge and Born 
Charitable Foundation 
(President).
Previous experience
Jorge served as a Director 
and Deputy Chairman of 
international agribusiness 
Bunge between 2001 and 
2010. He previously served 
as Head of European 
operations and Head 
of the UK operations. 

Key skills and competencies
 – Longstanding career in 
investment banking in 
Canada focusing on 
strategy and M&A

 – Significant experience on 
listed company boards 
 – In-depth knowledge of 
corporate governance/ 
finance

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Trevali Mining 
Corporation (Chair), Capital 
Power Corporation (Chair)
Non-profit: ARC Foundation 
Previous experience
Jill spent over 20 years in the 
investment banking industry 
having served in a number of 
senior leadership roles at 
RBC Capital Markets. She 
provided strategic advice to 
and helped raise capital for 
companies with a focus on 
the power, pipeline, 
infrastructure, and certain 
commodity related industries.

†  On 1 March 2022, Tracey Kerr will join the Remuneration and Sustainability Committees, Eileen Kamerick will retire from the Remuneration Committee and Michael 
Rawlinson will retire from the Sustainability Committee. At the conclusion of the 2022 AGM, Tracey Kerr will become the Chair of the Sustainability Committee and 
the Designated Non-Executive Director for workforce engagement.

Key skills and competencies
 – Strong background in audit 

and financial reporting
 – Extensive experience on 
listed company boards
 – In-depth knowledge of 
corporate governance/ 
finance 

Key skills and competencies
 – Extensive experience of 
managing sustainability 
in mining

 – Geology, having overseen 

global exploration activities

 – UK listed company 

governance 

Key skills and competencies
 – Significant knowledge of 

the mining sector 

 – Corporate finance, strategy 

Key skills and competencies
 – Extensive experience of 
managing international 
businesses in Latin America

and M&A

 – Listed company 

governance

 – In-depth knowledge of 

regional macro-
economic issues
 – Corporate finance 

Key skills and competencies
Raj is a solicitor and 
Chartered Secretary with 
over 23 years’ experience in 
FTSE-listed companies. He 
has significant experience 
in corporate and 
commercial law.  

Previous experience
Raj previously served as 
Deputy Company Secretary 
and Commercial Counsel at 
Burberry Group plc.

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Associated 
Banc-Corp. (Chair of the 
Corporate Governance 
and Social Responsibility 
Committee), Legg Mason 
Closed End Mutual Funds 
(Chair of the Audit 
Committee), ACV Auctions 
Inc (Chair of the Audit 
Committee).
Non-profit: Alzheimer’s 
Association
Previous experience
Eileen spent the majority of 
her career in senior financial 
roles and as CFO in the oil & 
gas and mining sectors. She 
has an MBA in Finance and 
International Business and 
the Directorship Certification 
of the US National 
Association of Corporate 
Directors (‘NACD’). Eileen is a 
Board Leadership Fellow of 
the NACD.

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Non-Executive 
Director of Polymetal 
International plc (Chair of 
Safety and Sustainability 
Committee)
Previous experience
Tracey spent almost 10 years 
working for Anglo American 
plc, most recently as the 
Group Head of Sustainable 
Development having 
previously also been 
accountable for safety, 
operational risk management 
and sustainable 
development. Prior to working 
in sustainability, Tracey 
worked as a geologist where 
she oversaw Vale’s 
exploration activities in the 
Americas and subsequently 
joined Anglo American as 
Group Head of Exploration.

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Adriatic 
Metals plc (Chairman) and 
Non-Executive Director of 
Capital Drilling Limited and 
Afritin Mining Limited
Previous experience
Michael’s career of over 20 
years culminated in his role 
as Global Co-Head of Mining 
and Metals at Barclays 
Investment Bank. Before that, 
he was one of the co-
founding directors at 
boutique investment bank 
Liberum Capital, having 
worked as a corporate 
financier and equity research 
analyst covering the mining 
sector at JP Morgan, 
Cazenove and Flemings.

Current external 
appointments
Commercial: Chairman of 
Alicorp S.A.A, and Inversiones 
Centenario S.A.A and 
Non-Executive Director 
of Sierra Metals Inc.
Dionisio sits on the boards of 
numerous Credicorp Group 
and Grupo Romero controlled 
companies as well as 
TSX-listed Sierra Metals Inc.
Non-profit: Fundacion 
Romero, ASBANC and 
APESEG
Previous experience
Dionisio previously served as 
the Chief Executive Officer, 
and subsequently Chairman, 
of financial holding company, 
Credicorp and as a Director 
of its subsidiary, Banco de 
Crédito del Peru, Peru’s 
largest bank.

 78  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 79  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 0-3 years  2/6 3-6 years  1/6 6+ years  3/6 Male  6 Female  3Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SENIOR MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Eduardo Noriega 

Isac Burstein 

Tom Elliott

Chief Financial Officer 

Vice President, Exploration  
& Business Development

Vice President,  
North America

Experience
Eduardo Noriega was 
appointed Chief Financial Officer 
of Hochschild Mining on 10 
December 2021 having joined the 
Company in March 2007. Eduardo 
previously served as Head of 
Group Finance with responsibility 
for financial planning and controls, 
treasury, corporate finance, tax 
and accounting. Prior to joining 
Hochschild, Eduardo worked in 
various finance roles for Dell Inc., 
Union de Cervecerías Peruana 
Backus & Johnston and Del Mar 
Fishing Company. Eduardo 
is a graduate in Business 
Administration from Universidad 
del Pacifico and holds an MBA 
from the University of Texas.

Experience
Isac Burstein joined the Group 
as a geologist in 1995. Prior to his 
current position, Isac served as 
Manager for Project Evaluation, 
Exploration Manager for Mexico, 
and Exploration Geologist. Isac 
assumed responsibility for the 
Group’s exploration activities in 
February 2014. Isac holds a BSc 
in Geological Engineering from 
the Universidad Nacional de 
Ingeniería, an MSc in Geology from 
the University of Missouri and an 
MBA from Krannert School of 
Management, Purdue University.

Experience
Tom Elliott joined Hochschild 
Mining in July 2021. Before that, 
he was Senior Vice President – 
Investor Relations and Corporate 
Development at Kinross Gold 
Corporation. Prior to that, he 
was Executive Director in UBS 
Investment Bank’s Mining & Metals 
team in London, England and 
Toronto, Canada. He also worked 
at Deutsche Bank Securities in 
Mining & Metals Equity Research 
and began his career in the 
mining & metals industry in 
Vancouver, Canada and Hamar, 
Norway. He holds a B.Sc (Honours) 
in Chemistry from Queen’s 
University and an MBA from 
the University of Toronto.

Oscar Garcia 

Vice President,  
Brownfield Exploration

Experience
Oscar Garcia was promoted to 
the position of VP, Brownfield 
Exploration on 1 January 2019 
having joined Hochschild Mining 
in 2007 as an Ore Control 
geologist. He has previously 
worked at Hochschild as 
Corporate Manager for 
Underground Geology, Ore Control 
and Brownfield Exploration. Prior 
to Hochschild Mining, Oscar 
worked as a geologist at Barrick 
Gold, Lonrho Mining Group and 
Compañia Minera Aguilar. Oscar 
qualified as a geologist at the 
Universidad Nacional de 
Cordoba in 1981.

Eduardo Landin 

José Augusto Palma 

Eduardo Villar 

Chief Operating Officer 

Vice President, Legal  
& Corporate Affairs 

Vice President,  
Human Resources 

Experience
José Augusto Palma has more 
than 12 years of professional 
experience in the mining sector 
and has served in various positions 
in Hochschild. José has also been 
very active in the mining industry 
association and recently 
concluded a two-year term as 
President of the Mining Sector 
in the Mining, Electricity and 
Petroleum Industry Association 
of Peru. Before joining Hochschild, 
José had a successful career in 
private practice in the United 
States, where he was a partner at 
the law firm of Swidler Berlin, and 
later worked at the World Bank. 
José also served two years in the 
Government of Peru. He holds law 
degrees from Georgetown 
University and the Universidad 
Iberoamericana in Mexico.

Experience
Eduardo Villar has been with 
the Group since 1996. Prior to his 
current position, he served as 
Human Resources Manager, 
Deputy HR Manager and Legal 
Counsel. Eduardo holds a law 
degree from the Universidad 
de Lima and an MBA from the 
Universidad Peruana de Ciencias 
Aplicadas. In addition, Eduardo 
has postgraduate qualifications 
in Business from IESE Business 
School and Harvard Business 
School and in Human Resources 
from London Business School and 
the University of Michigan.

Experience
Eduardo Landin was appointed 
COO of Hochschild Mining in 
March 2013. Eduardo joined 
Hochschild in January 2008 
as General Manager of the 
Company’s operations in 
Argentina. In 2011 he became 
General Manager of Projects with 
direct responsibility over the 
development of the Inmaculada 
and Crespo Advanced Projects. 
Before joining Hochschild, 
Eduardo held the position of 
Corporate Development Manager 
at Cementos Pacasmayo and, 
prior to that, he worked in the 
Peruvian Ministry of Energy and 
Mines. Eduardo began his career 
at Repsol S.A. where he worked for 
over 10 years in England, Spain 
and Peru. Eduardo is a Chartered 
Mechanical Engineer and holds a 
B.Eng (Honours) in Mechanical 
Engineering from Imperial College, 
London and an Executive MBA 
from the Universidad de Piura, 
Peru. He is a Fellow of the 
Institution of Mechanical 
Engineers.

The Directors present their report for the 
year ended 31 December 2021.

Information in Directors’ Report
The Directors’ Report comprises the 
Corporate Governance Report from 
pages 83 to 99, this Report on pages 81 
to 82, and the Supplementary Information 
on pages 100 to 103. Other information 
that is relevant to the Directors’ Report, 
and which is incorporated by 
reference, comprises:

 – Greenhouse gas emissions data and 
the steps taken by the Company to 
increase its energy efficiency, included 
in the Sustainability Report from page 
50; and

 – Policy on financial risk management 

in note 38 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

For the purposes of compliance with 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules 4.1.5R(2) and 4.1.8R, the Strategic 
Report and this Directors’ Report 
(including the other sections of the 
Annual Report incorporated by reference) 
comprise the Management Report.

Dividend
The Directors declared an interim 
dividend totalling $10 million (1.95 US 
cents per ordinary share) in the year 
ended 31 December 2021 and are 
recommending a final dividend of $12 
million (2.335 US cents per ordinary share) 
subject to approval at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’), making 
a total dividend of $22 million (2020 total 
dividend: $32.6 million).

The Company effected the demerger of 
its rare-earths project by way of 
Distribution in Specie pursuant to 
shareholder approval granted at an 
Extraordinary General Meeting held on 
5 November 2021.

In August 2021, the Board became aware 
of an issue concerning technical 
compliance with the Companies Act 2006 
in relation to the 2017 final dividend, the 
2018 interim and final dividends, the 2019 
interim dividend, and the 2020 interim 
and final dividends (the ‘Relevant 
Dividends’). In particular, the Relevant 
Dividends were paid to shareholders 
when the Company did not have 
adequate distributable reserves. 

Significant corrective transactions 
(namely, a capital reduction and dividend 
distribution by the Company’s wholly-
owned subsidiary, Hochschild Mining 
Holdings Limited) were implemented by 
the Company in September 2021, shortly 
after discovery of the issue. Had these 

internal corporate transactions been 
implemented prior to the payment of the 
2017 final dividend, adequate 
distributable reserves would have been 
available to the Company.

As previously reported, the Board intends 
to put resolutions to shareholders at a 
General Meeting to i) complete the 
rectification of this past issue and ii) 
increase further, to the extent practicable, 
the level of distributable reserves 
available to the Company.

Dividend waiver
The trustee of the Hochschild Mining 
Employee Share Trust (‘the Employee 
Trust’) has waived, on an ongoing basis, 
the right to dividend payments on shares 
held by the Employee Trust.

Directors
The names, functions and biographical 
details of the Directors serving at the date 
of this report are given on page 78 and 79. 
Other than Tracey Kerr, who was 
appointed on 10 December 2021, all of 
the Directors were in office for the 
duration of the year under review. Sanjay 
Sarma resigned from the Board on 10 
December 2021.

With the exception of Graham Birch 
and Dionisio Romero, who will be retiring 
at the conclusion of the forthcoming 
AGM, each of the Directors will be retiring 
and seeking re-election (or, in the case 
of Tracey Kerr, election) by shareholders 
in line with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
The Company’s Articles of Association 
(the ‘Articles’) contain a provision whereby 
each of the Directors may be indemnified 
by the Company in respect of liability in 
relation to: (i) any negligence, default, 
breach of duty or breach of trust relating 
to the Company or any associated 
company; (ii) execution of his/her duties 
as Director of the Company; and (iii) the 
activities of the Company or any 
associated company as trustee of an 
occupational pension scheme. For these 
purposes, associated company has the 
meaning given to it by Section 256 of the 
Companies Act 2006.

However, a Director will not be indemnified 
for any liability incurred by him/her to the 
Company or Group companies; any 
criminal or regulatory fines; the costs of 
defending any criminal proceedings in 
which he/she is convicted; or the costs of 
defending any civil proceedings brought 
by the Company in which judgment is 
given against him/her.

The Company has purchased and 
maintains liability insurance for its 
Directors and officers as permitted by 
law and Deeds of Indemnity on terms 
consistent with the Articles have been 
executed by the Company in favour of 
the Directors.

Political and charitable donations
The Company does not make political 
donations. During the year, the Group 
spent or donated a total of $5.4 million 
to benefit local communities (2020: 
$5.5 million).

Relationship Agreement
Pelham Investment Corporation (the 
‘Major Shareholder’), Eduardo Hochschild 
(who together with the Major Shareholder 
are collectively referred to as the 
‘Controlling Shareholders’) and the 
Company entered into a relationship 
agreement (‘the Relationship Agreement’) 
in preparation for the Company’s IPO in 
2006 and which was amended and 
restated during 2014.

The principal purpose of the Relationship 
Agreement is to ensure that the Group is 
capable of carrying on its business for the 
benefit of the shareholders of the 
Company as a whole, and that 
transactions and relationships with the 
Controlling Shareholders and any of their 
respective associates are at arm’s length 
and on normal commercial terms.

Further details of the Relationship 
Agreement with regard to the conduct of 
the Major Shareholder are set out in the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 
89 and, with regard to the right to appoint 
Directors to the Board, are set out on 
page 90.

As required by the Listing Rules, the 
Directors confirm that, with respect to 
the year under review:

 – the Company has complied with the 
independence provisions included in 
the Relationship Agreement; and

 – so far as the Company is aware:
	• the independence provisions 
included in the Relationship 
Agreement have been complied with 
by the Controlling Shareholders or 
any of their associates; and

	• the procurement obligation included in 
the Relationship Agreement has been 
complied with by the Controlling 
Shareholders.

 80  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 81  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Conflicts of interest
The Companies Act 2006 allows directors 
of public companies to authorise conflicts 
and potential conflicts of interest of 
directors where the Company’s Articles 
of Association contain a provision to that 
effect. Amendments to the Company’s 
Articles of Association were approved by 
shareholders in 2008, which included 
provisions giving the Directors authority 
to authorise matters which may result in 
the Directors breaching their duty to 
avoid a conflict of interest.

The Board has established effective 
procedures to enable the Directors to 
notify the Company of any actual or 
potential conflict situations and for 
those situations to be reviewed and, 
if appropriate, to be authorised by the 
Board, subject to any conditions that 
may be considered necessary. In keeping 
with the approach agreed by the Board, 
Directors’ conflicts were reviewed during 
the year under review.

Directors of the Company who have an 
interest in matters under discussion at 
Board meetings are required to declare 
this interest and to abstain from voting 
on the relevant matters.

Any related party transactions are 
approved by a committee of the Board 
consisting solely of Independent Directors. 
In addition, the Directors will be able 
to impose limits or conditions when 
giving any authorisation, if they think 
this is appropriate.

See note 32(c) to the consolidated 
financial statements on page 175 for 
details of the Major Shareholder’s 
participation in the initial public offering 
of Aclara Resources Inc. and the purchase 
of additional Aclara shares following that 
company’s demerger from the Hochschild 
Mining Group.

Going concern
After their thorough review of Group 
liquidity and covenant forecasts, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group and the Company have 
adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the period to 
31 March 2023 which is at least 12 
months from the date of these financial 
statements. Accordingly, they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements. Full details are 
included in note 2(d) to the consolidated 
financial statements.

AGM
The 16th AGM of the Company will be 
held at 9am on 26 May 2022. The 
shareholder circular incorporating the 
Notice of AGM will be sent separately 
to shareholders or, for those who 
have elected to receive electronic 
communications, will be available for 
viewing at www.hochschildmining.com

The shareholder circular contains 
details of the business to be considered 
at the meeting.

Auditor
A resolution to reappoint Ernst & Young 
LLP as Auditor will be put to shareholders 
at the forthcoming AGM.

Statement on disclosure of information 
to Auditor
Having made enquiries of fellow Directors 
and of the Company’s Auditor, each 
Director confirms that, to the best of his/
her knowledge and belief, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s Auditor is unaware.

Furthermore, each Director has taken 
all the steps that he/she ought to have 
taken as a Director in order to make 
himself/herself aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish 
that the Company’s Auditor is aware 
of that information.

This confirmation is given, and should 
be interpreted, in accordance with the 
provisions of Section 418(2) of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
The Directors confirm that to the best of 
their knowledge:

 – that the consolidated financial 

statements, prepared in accordance 
with UK-adopted international 
accounting standards give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit of the 
parent company and undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a 
whole; the Annual Report, including the 
Strategic Report, includes a fair review 
of the development and performance 
of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a 
whole, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that 
they face; and

 – that they consider the Annual Report, 

taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Company’s position, 
performance, business model 
and strategy.

Disclaimer
Neither the Company nor the Directors 
accept any liability to any person in 
relation to this Annual Report except to 
the extent that such liability could arise 
under English law. Accordingly, any 
liability to a person who has 
demonstrated reliance on any untrue or 
misleading statement or omission shall be 
determined in accordance with Section 
90A of the Financial Services and Markets 
Act 2000.

On behalf of the Board

Raj Bhasin
Company Secretary  
22 February 2022

In an eventful year for the Company, the Board  
exercised its oversight responsibilities diligently and, 
through the activities described in this report, is 
well-positioned to focus on our key priorities.”

Eduardo Hochschild  
Chair

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the Corporate Governance 
Report for 2021. 

In this section of the Annual Report, we report on the 
Company’s compliance with the provisions of the 
2018 edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the ‘Code’) and the application of its principles.

As you will have read, 2021 was an extremely 
eventful year with the Board exercising its 
oversight responsibilities not only with respect to 
operational matters, but also on the execution of 
key strategic developments. Through the corporate 
governance activities described in this report, the 
Board is well-positioned to focus on the Company’s 
key priorities.

Strengthening of the Board
In December we were able to announce the 
appointment of Tracey Kerr to the Board as an 
Independent Non-Executive Director. This was the 
result of an externally-led search which was overseen 
by the Nomination Committee tasked with bolstering 
the skills around the Board table to facilitate the 
delivery of the Company’s strategic goals. We look 
forward to working with Tracey and benefiting from 
her expertise in safety, sustainability and geology. 
As you will have read in the Sustainability Report, 
the Company has focused on the area of promoting 

diversity across the workforce which, particularly 
with regards to gender, has been lacking in the 
mining sector. We are happy that the Board is able 
to set the tone from the top since, with Tracey’s 
appointment, we will have achieved our target of 
one-third female representation.

Board development
As referenced in last year’s Annual Report, the Board 
committed to undertaking an externally facilitated 
Board evaluation. Following a selection process led 
by the Senior Independent Director, Independent 
Audit Limited was appointed to carry out the annual 
evaluation of the Board and the Committees. This 
resulted in a comprehensive report which saw the 
Board conclude, based on the evaluation, that it had 
a number of strengths in addition to agreeing there 
are areas for further development over the short and 
medium term. The Board is committed to continued 
development and I look forward to reporting on our 
progress in due course.

If you should have any queries arising from this 
report, please do not hesitate to contact me at 
Chairman@hocplc.com.

Eduardo Hochschild
Chair

 82  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 83  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Introduction
This report, together with the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, describes how the 
Company has applied the Principles of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the 
Code’) (2018 edition) in respect of the 
year ended 31 December 2021. A copy of 
the Code is available on the website of the 
Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’) at 
www.frc.org.uk.

Disclosures to be included in the 
Corporate Governance Report in 
relation to share structure, shareholder 
agreements and the Company’s 
constitutional provisions pursuant to the 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules are provided in the Supplementary 
Information section on pages 100 to 102.

Statement of Compliance
The Board confirms that, in respect of 
the year under review, the Group has 
complied with the provisions contained in 
the Code with the exceptions noted below:

Provision

Explanation

The Chairman has been in post beyond nine 
years from the date of his first appointment 
to the Board

As a major shareholder of the Company and given his significant experience of mining in Peru, 
the Directors consider Mr Hochschild’s continued chairmanship to be in the best interests of the 
Company. As described later in this report, there are checks and balances in place to ensure ongoing 
objectivity and that Mr Hochschild does not exercise undue influence.

The Company’s remuneration schemes and 
policies should include provisions that would 
enable the Company to recover sums or share 
awards (i.e. clawback)

In order to overcome the legal difficulties in enforcing clawback in Peru, the Group’s policy wording 
relating to the events which may lead to the application of malus has been clarified so as to include 
references to misconduct, reputational damage, error in calculation and any material breach of an 
individual’s employment contract.

Our governance structure

Board

Chair
Eduardo Hochschild

3 Non-Independent Directors  6 Independent Directors 

Audit 
Committee1

Chair
Eileen Kamerick

Nomination 
Committee1

Chair
Eduardo Hochschild

   READ MORE 
Page 93

   READ MORE 
Page 98

Exploration  
Working Group

A working group consisting of 
management and Non-Executive 
Directors which reviews detailed reports 
on, and progress against, brownfield 
and greenfield exploration programmes.

Remuneration Committee1

Sustainability Committee1

Chair
Michael Rawlinson

Chair
Dr Graham Birch

   READ MORE 
Page 104

   READ MORE 
Page 51

1 

 Terms of reference are available at www.hochschildmining.com (see pages 53, 93 to 99, and 106 for further details on the Committees’ activities during 2021).

Leadership & purpose

The Board
The Board is responsible for approving 
the Company’s strategy and monitoring 
its implementation, for overseeing the 
management of operations and for 
providing leadership and support to the 
senior management team in achieving 
sustainable added value for shareholders. 
It is also responsible for enabling the 
efficient operation of the Group by 
providing adequate financial and human 
resources and an appropriate system of 
financial control to ensure these 
resources are fully monitored and utilised.

There is an agreed schedule of matters 
reserved for the Board which includes the 
approval of annual and half-yearly results, 
the Group’s strategy, the annual budget 
and major items of capital expenditure.

2021 Board meetings
15 Board meetings were held during the 
year, of which four were scheduled 
meetings. The ad-hoc meetings were 
convened to consider the following:

 – the Company’s distributable reserves 

(see page 81 for further details);

 – various matters relating to the 

demerger of Aclara Resources Inc 
(formerly Biolantanidos);

 – interim updates on operational matters;

 – business development projects 

 – updates on the political situation in 
Peru and related developments (see 
pages 72 and 73 for further details).

Attendance at the scheduled Board 
meetings convened during 2021 is 
summarised in the table below;

Director

Attendance (Maximum)

Mr E Hochschild 

Mr G Birch 

Mr J Born 

Mr I Bustamante

Ms J Gardiner

Ms T Kerr*

Ms E Kamerick

Mr M Rawlinson

Mr D Romero

Mr S Sarma** 

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

0 (0)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

* 

 Ms Kerr was appointed to the Board on  
10 December 2021

** Mr Sarma retired from the Board on 10 December 2021

In addition to the regular updates from across the business, the principal matters 
considered by the Board during 2021 are detailed below. In keeping with Board 
practice, meetings incorporate reports from each of the Committee Chairs on the 
business considered at their respective meetings. Any significant matters arising from 
those meetings are discussed by the full Board and feature among the matters 
described below.

Health & Safety

Financial

Strategy

 – Updates on the impact of Covid-19 on the operations.
 – Updates on the ongoing implementation of Safety 2.0, the second 

iteration of the Company’s Safety Culture Transformation Plan (see 
page 59 for further details); 

 – The investigation into the fatal accidents involving contractors at the 

San Jose mine and Aclara’s Penco project (see page 59); and

 – The Company’s own investigation into the tragic traffic accident in June 

2021 involving a bus operated by a contractor.

 – The stress-tested scenarios and the underlying assumptions used in the 
going concern and viability statements in support of the 2020 annual 
financial statements and 2021 half-yearly financial statements;

 – Considered recommendations of the Audit Committee to adopt the 
2020 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2021 Half-Yearly Report;

 – The Group’s ongoing financial position;
 – The 2020 final dividend;
 – The refinancing of, and additional borrowing under, the Group’s 

Medium-Term Debt Facility;

 – The level of the Company’s distributable reserves and the rectification 

steps to be taken in connection with certain past dividends (see page 81);

 – The 2021 interim dividend; and
 – The 2022 budget.

 – Strategic options to facilitate the Group’s growth including the 
appointment of project CEO for the Volcan project in Chile;

 – Updates on progress in the development of Aclara’s rare-earths project;
 – The demerger of Aclara and its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange†;
 – Business development projects, including:

 – Exercising the option to start earning-in a 60% interest in the Snip 

Project in British Columbia†; and

 – Acquisition of the Posse gold project in Brazil†;

 – Updates on the Group’s operational innovation projects; and
 – The Group’s strategic plan†.

 – Detailed updates on the operational and financial performance;
 – Unbudgeted strategic initiatives; and
 – Presentations on progress against the annual brownfield exploration 

programme.

Risk

 – Political developments in the Company’s countries of operation. 

In particular, the Board considered the outcome of the Presidential 
elections in Peru and convened emergency meetings to consider the 
Company’s response to the Peruvian Prime Minister’s actions in 
Coracora (see page 72 for further details);

 – The Group’s Risk Register detailing the significant and emerging 

risks faced by the Group and their corresponding mitigation plans. 
As reported in the Risk Management report, Climate Change and 
Supply Chain risks were considered following their entry on the 
Group Risk Register;

 – Renewal of the Group’s Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance; and
 – A review of the market fundamentals and outlook for precious metals.

Governance

 – The appointment of Tracey Kerr as an Independent Non-

Executive Director;

 – Updates from the Company Secretary on governance developments 
affecting the Company and Directors’ responsibilities including with 
respect to the UK Government’s consultation on reforms to audit and 
governance;

 – An update on the implementation of the 2020 Board evaluation 

recommendations;

 – The appointment of Independent Audit Limited as the external Board 

Reviewer, and the findings of the review; and

 – The annual reviews of Directors’ conflicts of interest and independence 

of Non-Executive Directors.

including the Posse gold project in Brazil 
and the Snip project in British Columbia;

Business 
performance

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Setting the tone
The Board sets the tone from the top, 
reflecting these values in its deliberations 
and decision-making. The Chief Executive 
Officer (‘CEO’) is the crucial conduit 
through which the tone is cascaded 
throughout the organisation. By way 
of example, during the year, the CEO 
communicated with all employees on 
a number of matters including:

 – Hochschild’s environmental 

commitments;

 – Results of the ‘Green Challenge’ which 

encourages the operating units to 
compete on the basis of their 
environmental performance;

 – The International Day for the Elimination 

of Violence against Women; and

 – Initiatives relating to compliance and 

ethical behaviour.

In addition, the CEO also communicated on 
matters of particular importance to 
employees in Peru such as the 
unprecedented traffic accident involving a 
bus operated by one of the Company’s 
contractors and the Company’s response 
to the actions of the Peruvian Prime 
Minister in November 2021 (see page 72 
for further details).

Sustainability

 – Reviews of the social climate in Peru, Argentina and Chile and their 
potential impact on the Group as well as the Company’s social 
engagement strategy;

 – The adoption of a TSF Policy and updates on reviews of the Group’s 

Tailing Storage Facilities (‘TSFs’), assessments of the viability of 
implementing, on a voluntary basis, certain aspects of the ICMM’s 
Global Standard on Tailings Management; and

 – Performance of the Group against the internally-designed 

environmental corporate scorecard (the ECO Score) and updates on the 
Company’s implementation of the Environmental Cultural 
Transformation Plan.

Investors’ views

 – Regular reports on investors’ views as part of the Group’s 

comprehensive engagement schedule (see section headed Shareholder 
engagement in 2021 for further details);

 – Feedback from investors and proxy agencies on 2021 AGM business, 

both before and after the meeting; and 

 – Feedback from investors following the open engagement initiated by the 

Remuneration Committee in light of the voting outcome on the 2020 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

See Directors’ Remuneration Report from page 104 for more details

† See page 88 and 89 on how wider stakeholders’ interests were considered in relation to these key Board decisions

further detail in the Code of Conduct, 
adopted in 2010, which sets out the 
standards and behaviours expected from 
all levels within the Company as well as 
our partners: professionalism, honesty, 
integrity, respect for our stakeholders and 
a commitment to safety, our communities 
and the environment. These are further 
reiterated in the Group’s anti-bribery and 
corruption policies.

The Company launched its reformulated 
corporate purpose in 2019 as part of a 
rebranding – ‘Responsible and Innovative 
Mining Committed to a Better World’ 
– and, in tandem, set out the values which 
create a culture that is aligned with the 
purpose (see diagram below).

Senior executives of the organisation are 
invited to attend Board meetings and to 
make presentations on their areas of 
responsibility. In the event a Director is 
unable to attend a Board or Committee 
meeting, comments are encouraged to be 
fed back to the Chairman of the relevant 
meeting who ensures that the absent 
Director’s views are represented.

In between Board meetings, Directors 
are kept informed of latest developments 
through monthly management reports 
on the Company’s operations, safety 
performance, exploration activity and 
financial position. In addition, Update 
Meetings are diarised to take place 
monthly which provide an opportunity for 
both the Board and the CEO to consider 
matters and developments between 
scheduled meetings.

Purpose & culture
The Group was established over a 
hundred years ago and over time it has 
characterised itself not only through 
sound operations but also in striving to 
achieve the highest standards of safety 
and with regard to its social impact. This 
approach is reflected and described in 

Our corporate values

Innovation

Inspiring others

Recognising talent

Demonstrating responsibility

Seeking efficiencies

These values not only represent key inputs in our business model in the 
performance of our core activities but they also inform our approach to our 
four-pronged growth strategy. See the Strategy section on pages 24 and 25.

Assessing and monitoring culture 
The Board assessed and monitored the 
Company’s culture using a dashboard  
of measures, some of which are reported 
on a monthly basis.

Responsibility  
Safety – Accident Frequency Index 
(LTIFR), Accident Severity Index, 
High Potential Event rate, SeguScore 
(an internally designed safety score 
combining lagging and leading 
safety indicators) See page 59 for 
further details

Environmental  
ECO Score

Ethical practices/Integrity 
Whistleblowing reports (online and 
offline channels), internal audit reports

Innovation 
Submissions of operational efficiency 
projects via the Innova platform

Inspiring others and promoting talent 
Team and individual development 
plans, staff turnover/retention rates

Efficiency 
Operational KPIs including AISC, 
Production and Brownfield Exploration 
results, Financial KPIs including 
Adjusted EBITDA, Working Capital, 
Cash Balance, Debt Covenant ratios

An organisational climate survey, which 
was scheduled to take place in 2021, was 
postponed until H2 2022 due to a 
combination of factors including the use 
of remote-working as a result of Covid-19. 
Action plans to address key areas 
identified in the last survey conducted in 
2019 continue to be implemented, 
tailored by each department focusing on 
the following general themes:

 – Recognising others’ achievements;

 – Improving training programmes;

 – Reflecting the corporate culture in the 

style of management; and

 – Improving the employee value 

proposition.

Engagement
The Directors receive briefings from the 
Company Secretary and legal advisers on 
their duties under English law to promote 
the success of the Company. As in other 
large companies, these duties are, in part, 
discharged through a framework of 
delegated authorities. 

The Board ensures there is regular and 
sustained engagement with its 
shareholders and other stakeholders 
which is fed back to the Board and taken 
into consideration in discussions and 
decision-making. This section of the 
report includes the s172(1) statement 
and, by cross-referencing other parts of 
this report, summarises how engagement 
was undertaken and how stakeholders 
were considered in the key decisions 
taken during the year.

Shareholders
Our approach
The Chairman, with the support of the 
Senior Independent Director and the 
Company Secretary, is available to 
engage with major shareholders on 
matters of governance and performance 
against strategy.

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible 
for discussing strategy and business 
performance with the Company’s 
shareholders and conveying their views 
to the other members of the Board. He 
is supported in this regard by the Chief 
Financial Officer and the Head of Investor 
Relations who is based in the London 
corporate office.

In addition to the direct means of contact 
as detailed in the table below, Directors 
are kept informed of major shareholders’ 
views through copies of (i) relevant 
analysts’ and brokers’ briefings, (ii) voting 
recommendation reports issued by 
institutional investor agencies, and (iii) 
significant correspondence from 
shareholders with respect to the 
business to be put to shareholder 
vote at General Meetings.

Shareholder engagement in 2021
The following table summarises the 
shareholder engagement initiatives 
and events during the year:

Date

Event

January 
(and April, 
July, 
October)

Conference calls following 
the Quarterly Production 
Report

Continuation of shareholder 
engagement on proposed 
revised Remuneration Policy

February

BMO Global Metals & Mining 
Conference

2020 Annual Results 
presentation

UK Roadshow (virtual)

BoA Merrill Lynch Global 
Metals, Mining and Steel 
Conference

Post-AGM shareholder 
conference call (arranged 
due to restrictions on AGM 
attendance) 

Publication of standalone 
Sustainability Report

2021 Half-Yearly Results 
presentation

May

July

August

September

UK Roadshow (virtual)

November

Denver Gold Forum

Aclara Capital Markets 
presentation

Open shareholder 
engagement on 
remuneration matters

Pro-active engagement 
with top 20 shareholders in 
response to actions of 
Peruvian Prime Minister

December

Scotia Capital Conference

An extensive Investor Relations schedule 
resulted in management holding over 100 
investor meetings during the year.

In addition to the above, the Non-
Executive Directors are available to meet 
shareholders on request. During the year, 
the Remuneration Committee initiated an 
engagement process with the Company’s 
largest shareholders in the second half of 
2020 which continued through to the 
2021 AGM on the proposed revised 
Remuneration Policy. As reported in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, the 
revised Policy was supported by 86% of 
the votes cast.

2021 AGM
Due to the Covid-related restrictions in 
place at the time, shareholders were not 
permitted to attend physically the 2021 
AGM. In order to facilitate direct 

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engagement, a shareholder call was 
arranged to take place immediately after 
the AGM with shareholders required to 
pre-register. The Company did not receive 
any pre-registration requests.

At the 2021 AGM, the resolutions seeking 
the re-election of Dionisio Romero 
Paoletti and the approval of the 2020 
Directors’ Remuneration Report were 
opposed by 33% and 39% of the votes 
cast respectively. 

Investor feedback confirmed that the 
results reflected concerns with:

(a) Mr Romero’s time commitment due 
to the number of directorships that he 
held; and

(b) Several aspects relating to the annual 
bonus including the restatement of bonus 
objectives in the latter part of 2020, and 
the quantum of the bonus paid to the 
CEO, both overall and in light of the 
fatality that occurred during the year. 

For further information, please refer to 
the Remuneration Committee Chair’s 
statement from page 104.

With regards to the re-election of Mr 
Romero, the Board (a) received 
reassurances from Mr Romero on his 
ongoing availability and commitment to 
the Company and (b) noted the fact that 
Mr Romero acts as a nominee director of 
the Company’s largest shareholder under 
the Relationship Agreement.

Other stakeholders
On pages 45 to 49 of the Strategic Report, 
we have identified our key stakeholder 
groups, how the Company engages with 
them and an indication of the issues 
raised by each group during the year.

The Directors are aware of their duty 
under English company law (the ‘section 
172 duties’) to act in the way he or she 
considers, in good faith, would most likely 
promote the success of the Company for 
the benefit of its shareholders and other 
factors. These include the likely 
consequences of any decisions in the long 
term, the interests of the Company’s 
employees, the need to foster the 
Company’s business relationships with all 
stakeholders, the impact of the 
Company’s operations on the community 
and environment, and the desire to 
maintain a reputation for high standards 
of business conduct.

By understanding stakeholders’ views 
and expectations, the Board is able to 
successfully steer the Company towards 
achieving its strategic goals in a 
sustainable manner and which 
acknowledges its licence to operate.

Below, we have summarised how the Board receives feedback from its key stakeholder groups: 

Employees

Social

Government / Regulators

Suppliers/Lenders 

Customers 

Graham Birch, as Chair 
of the Sustainability 
Committee, is our 
designated Director 
to oversee workforce 
engagement who 
receives quarterly 
updates from the Vice 
President of Human 
Resources on discussions 
with trade unions 
and other employee 
group meetings.

Reported to the 
Sustainability Committee, 
which feeds back to 
the Board.

Reported to the Board as 
part of its consideration 
of the quarterly Risk 
Management updates 
on the political/
regulatory climate. 

Reported to the Board as 
part of its consideration 
of the quarterly Risk 
Management updates in 
relation to Business 
Interruption & Supply 
Chain risks.

Material matters are 
reported to the Board by 
the Chief Financial 
Officer who is responsible 
for managing the sales 
and logistics department. 
There were no material 
matters raised during 
the year.

Impact on wider stakeholder group of key 
decisions in 2021
In discharging their section 172 duties the 
Directors have regard to the factors set 
out above as well as other factors which 
are considered relevant to the decision 
being made. It is acknowledged that 
every decision we make will not 
necessarily result in a positive outcome 
for all our stakeholders. By considering 
the Company’s purpose together with its 
strategic priorities, and having a process 
in place for decision-making, the aim is to 
make sure that decisions reflect the 
Group’s corporate values.

For details on how our Board operates and 
the matters we discussed and debated 
during the year, please see page 85 and 
86. We set out below examples of how the 
Directors had regard to the matters set 
out in section 172(1)(a)-(f) when 
discharging their section 172 duties on 
certain decisions taken during the year. 

(a) Aclara demerger and listing on the 
Toronto Stock Exchange 
In deciding to demerge Aclara from the 
Hochschild Mining Group, the Board 
considered:

 – shareholders’ expectations for the 

Company to maximise the value of its 
assets and, in turn, shareholder return. 
In the Board’s view this was achieved 
through the creation of a separate 
entity with its own dedicated 
management team and access to 
capital. Moreover, by effecting a 
demerger through an in-kind 
distribution, shareholders would be able 
to benefit directly from any potential 
re-rating of Aclara; and

 – the minimal impact on Hochschild’s 

employees, customers, suppliers and 
communities in light of the limited 
number of the early-stage nature of 
Aclara’s asset (and therefore limited 

resourcing requirements from the 
Company’s own personnel) and its 
location in Chile.

(b) Annual Strategy Review
As it does each year, the Board carried 
out a review of the Group’s strategy. The 
discussion in 2021 focused on how the 
Group could best position itself vis-à-vis 
its stakeholders and capitalise on the key 
sources of growth while remaining true to 
the Company’s purpose. Alternative 
operating and financial scenarios were 
reviewed by the Board and, in light of their 
critical importance, sub-strategies to 
ensure the achievement of the 
Company’s social commitments were 
developed. By taking this approach, the 
Board has mandated that every strategic 
business decision should promote 
sustainability for all stakeholders. 

(c) Exercising the option to start earning-
in a 60% interest in the Snip Project in 
British Columbia
In its decision to exercise the option to 
start earning into the project, the Board 
took into account:

 – shareholders’ concerns on the limited 
scope for growth from the Company’s 
existing portfolio of operating assets 
and its impact on shareholder returns;

 – a commitment to establish constructive 
relations with the Tahltan First Nation;

 – the interests of employees who 
would benefit from the addition 
of a high-grade asset into the 
Company’s pipeline;

 – the neutral impact on customers 

and suppliers as the decision would 
result primarily in exploration activities 
in British Columbia, Canada, for at 
least three years.

(d) The acquisition of the Posse gold 
project in Brazil (subject to completion 
in Q1 2022)
In its decision to acquire the project, 
the Board considered:

 – Shareholders’ concerns (a) on the 
limited scope for growth from the 
Company’s existing portfolio of 
operating assets and its impact on 
shareholder returns, and (b) on the 
lack of the Company’s geographic 
diversification;

 – the project’s current owner’s 

complementary ESG-led approach 
with strong local community and 
government support;

 – the interests of employees who would 
benefit from the addition of a high-
grade asset into the Company’s 
portfolio; and

 – the neutral impact on the Company’s 

customers and suppliers.

Division of responsibilities

Board composition
Throughout the year the Board 
comprised the Chairman, the Chief 
Executive Officer and seven Non-
Executive Directors, of whom six are 
considered, by the Board, to be of 
independent judgement and character. 
On 10 December 2021, Sanjay Sarma 
stepped down from the Board as an 
Independent Non-Executive Director and 
Tracey Kerr’s appointment (in that same 
role) took effect.

As a result, at all times during the year, 
the Board comprised a majority of 
Independent Non-Executive Directors. 
Dionisio Romero Paoletti is the only 

non-independent Non-Executive Director 
as he has been nominated to the Board 
by the Company’s major shareholder 
under its rights pursuant to the 
Relationship Agreement (further details 
of which can be found on page 102 of 
the Directors’ Report).

Chairman and Chief Executive
The Board is led by the Chairman, 
Eduardo Hochschild, who is also the 
largest shareholder of the Company 
with a c.38% holding.

The Board has approved a document 
which sets out the division of 
responsibilities between the Chairman 
and Chief Executive Officer.

As Chairman, Eduardo Hochschild is 
responsible for leading the Board of 
Directors and ensuring that the Board is 
enabled to play a full and constructive 
part in the development and 
determination of the Group’s strategy 
and overall commercial objectives.

Ignacio Bustamante, as the Chief 
Executive Officer, is responsible for the 
formulation of the vision and long-term 
corporate strategy of the Group, the 
approval of which is a matter for the 
full Board.

The Chief Executive Officer is 
responsible for leading the executive 
team in the day-to-day management 
of the Group’s business.

Status of the Chairman
In light of his significant shareholding, 
the Chairman is not considered to be 
independent. However, the other Directors 
of the Board continue to assert that Mr 
Hochschild chairs the Board in an 
objective manner and encourages open 
and full debate. The Directors are 
satisfied that the composition of the 
Board and the implementation of certain 
contractual arrangements act as 
additional measures which prevent 
the exercise of undue influence by 
Mr Hochschild.

Firstly, the significant presence of 
Independent Directors and the active role 
of the Senior Independent Director ensure 
that the views of minority shareholders 
are well represented.

Secondly, the undertakings provided in 
the Relationship Agreement (as described 
below) ensure that the Company and its 
subsidiaries are capable of carrying on 
their business independently of Eduardo 
Hochschild and his associates.

The Relationship Agreement, which was 
revised in 2014 in light of new rules 
governing such agreements (the ‘2014 

Listing Rules’), contains undertakings 
from each of Eduardo Hochschild and 
Pelham Investment Corporation (being 
the entity through which Mr Hochschild 
holds his shares in the Company) (the 
‘Significant Shareholder’) that:

 – all transactions with the Company 

(and its subsidiaries) will be conducted 
at arm’s length and on normal 
commercial terms;

 – neither of them (nor their associates) 
(the ‘Relevant Parties’) will take any 
action that would have the effect of 
preventing the Company from 
complying with its obligations under 
the UK Listing Rules;

 – the Relevant Parties will not propose, 

and neither will they procure the 
proposal of, a shareholder resolution 
intended or which appears to be 
intended to circumvent the proper 
application of the UK Listing Rules; and

 – the Relevant Parties will not take any 
action that would preclude or inhibit 
any member of the Group from carrying 
on its business independently of any 
of them.

Certain confirmations are required to be 
given by the Board under the 2014 Listing 
Rules with regards to the Company’s 
compliance with the independence 
provisions which can be found in the 
Directors’ Report on page 81.

Senior Independent Director
Michael Rawlinson is the Senior 
Independent Director. Mr Rawlinson’s role 
is not only to act as a central point of 
contact for the Non-Executive Directors 
as a group but to also act as a conduit 
between the Non-Executive Directors and 
the executive management team. To 
facilitate this, Mr Rawlinson chairs 
meetings of the Non-Executive Directors 
and of the Independent Non-Executive 
Directors immediately after each Board 
meeting. This provides the opportunity to 
gather feedback and thoughts on Board 
discussions which are subsequently 
relayed to the Chairman and/or the 
executive team as appropriate. A crucial 
part of the role of the Senior Independent 
Director is to meet with major 
shareholders if concerns have not been 
addressed by the executive team. No 
such meetings were requested, however, 
Mr Rawlinson did engage with a number 
of major investors during the year.

Non-Executive Directors
The Company’s Non-Executive Directors 
hold, or have held, senior positions in the 
corporate sector. Sanjay Sarma, who 
served on the Board until 10 December 
2021, has a background in academia in 

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Board development
It is the responsibility of the Chairman 
to ensure that the Directors update 
their knowledge and their skills and are 
provided with the necessary resources 
to continue to do so. This is achieved 
through the various means described 
as follows. 

Induction
New Board appointees are offered 
the opportunity to meet with key 
management personnel and the 
Company’s principal advisers as well 
as undertaking visits to the Group’s 
operations. In addition, where 
appointees will serve on any of the Board 
Committees, sessions with the relevant 
Committee Chair are organised. 

In light of the Covid-19 related 
restrictions, the above induction 
programme was facilitated virtually in 
connection with the appointment of 
Tracey Kerr. Site visits will be arranged 
once international travel resumes.

The Company has adopted the practice 
of requiring Directors to seek annual 
re-election by shareholders in keeping 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
The biographies of the Directors can be 
found on pages 78 and 79 which, in 
addition to specifying other positions, 
also highlight the key skills and experience 
of each Board member.

Under the terms of the Relationship 
Agreement, the Significant Shareholder 
has (i) the right to appoint up to two 
Non-Executive Directors to the Board for 
so long as the Significant Shareholder 
holds an interest of 30% or more in the 
Company and (ii) the right to appoint one 
Non-Executive Director for so long as it 
has an interest of 15% or more in the 
Company, and in each case to remove 
any such Director(s) previously appointed.

The Relationship Agreement continues 
for so long as the Company’s shares are 
traded on the London Stock Exchange 
or until such time as the Controlling 
Shareholders (including Eduardo 
Hochschild) cease to own or control in 
aggregate a minimum of 15% of the 
issued share capital or voting rights 
of the Company.

The Significant Shareholder exercised 
this right for the first time with the 
appointment of Dionisio Romero Paoletti 
who joined the Board on 1 January 2018.

the field of mechanical engineering and 
technology. Each Director brings their 
experience and independent perspective 
to enhance the Board’s capacity to help 
develop proposals on strategy and to 
oversee and grow the operations within 
a sound framework of corporate 
governance.

Details of the tenure of appointment of 
Non-Executive Directors are provided in 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Independence of Non-Executive Directors 
In keeping with its usual practice, the 
Board considered the independence of 
the Non-Executive Directors during the 
year. As part of its assessment, the Board 
took into account the circumstances set 
out in Provision 10 of the Code. In 
particular, the Board noted:

 – the fact that Jorge Born and Graham 

Birch had both served on the Board for 
over nine years; and

 – Sanjay Sarma’s position as a director 
of Top Flight Technologies, a company 
in which Eduardo Hochschild has a 
shareholding and a convertible 
note investment.

The Board assessed, among other things, 
each of the above-named Director’s 
individual approach and contribution to 
Board discussions. It was concluded that 
each Director demonstrated ongoing 
objectivity which, at times, included 
appropriate challenges of matters under 
deliberation as well as of management. 
Accordingly, the Board was of the opinion 
that the above circumstances did not 
interfere with the relevant Director’s 
ability to act in the best interests of the 
Company and are therefore considered 
to be independent for the purposes of 
the Code.

Company Secretary
The Company Secretary is appointed and 
removed by the Board and is responsible 
for advising the Board on governance 
matters and the provision of 
administrative and other services to the 
Board. All the Directors have access to 
the Company Secretary.

Composition, succession and evaluation

Appointments and re-election 
of Directors 
The Board has established a Nomination 
Committee which recommends 
nominations to the Board. The report of 
the Nomination Committee appears on 
pages 98 and 99.

Tracey Kerr selection and  
induction process

Selection: Search firm, London Search 
Associates, engaged to compile a 
long-list of candidates with the skills 
and experience sought by the 
Nomination Committee 

The Nomination Committee compiles a 
short-list of candidates

Interviews: Chairman and designated 
members of the Nomination 
Committee 

Conflicts of Interest: Nomination 
Committee considers and approves 
any conflicts of interest and 
recommends Tracey Kerr’s 
appointment to the Board

Provision of Key Documentation: on 
Governance, Corporate Policies, 
Directors’ & Officers’ Liability 
Insurance Policy and other information

The Board Perspective: Meets with all 
Board members

The Operational Perspective: 
Meetings with the CEO, CFO and COO

Briefings: Vice Presidents, Head of 
Internal Audit, Head of Investor 
Relations and Company Secretary

Hochschild’s Approach to 
Sustainability: Meets with the 
functional heads, in Peru of Health, 
Safety, Environmental Management, 
Community Relations and Permitting

Full Perspective: Attends, as a guest, 
meetings of the Board Committees 
and the Exploration Working Group

Briefings
The Directors receive regular briefings 
from the Company Secretary on 
developments in the areas of corporate 
law and corporate governance that 
affect their roles as Directors of a UK 
listed company. In addition, the Directors 
have ongoing access to the Company’s 
officers and advisers with presentations 
arranged periodically.

Advice
The Company has procedures by 
which members of the Board may take 
independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense in the furtherance 
of their duties.

Board effectiveness
The Board is committed to the process 
of continuous improvement and in 2021, 
the Board engaged Independent Audit 
Limited as an external Board Reviewer to 
evaluate the workings of the Board and its 
Committees. See the following page for a 
description of the process and outcome 
of the 2021 Board evaluation.

Implementation of 2020 Board evaluation
A number of actions were taken during 
the year in light of the findings of the 
internally-led 2020 Board evaluation 
process. These included:

 – the holding of pre-Audit Committee 
meetings enabling Audit Committee 
members to receive updates from the 
CFO and the external Auditor, 
particularly in relation to half-yearly 
and annual results; 

 – the use of a search firm to support the 
Nomination Committee’s efforts in 
identifying suitable candidates for 
Board appointments in light of the 
commitment to achieve 33% female 
representation on the Board by the end 
of 2021;

 – the holding of monthly ‘Update 

Meetings’ to keep the Board apprised 
of developments between scheduled 
Board meetings;

 – a mid-term review of the Company’s 

growth strategy; and

 – promoting the Company’s visibility in 

North America resulting in the creation 
of the role of VP, North America.

External Board evaluation
In line with the Board’s intention reported 
last year, an externally-facilitated Board 
and Committee evaluation was carried 
out in H2 2021. Following a tender process 
led by the Company Secretary and the 
Senior Independent Director, Independent 
Audit Limited was selected as the Board 
Reviewer. Independent Audit Limited had 
not previously undertaken any work for 
the Company. As a result of the worldwide 
travel restrictions, the evaluation was 
carried out virtually and took place as 
described right.

Lima Head office

 90  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 91  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Evaluation of the Board and 
Committees
The findings arising from the evaluation 
were considered collectively by the 
Chairman and Michael Rawlinson as 
the Senior Independent Director and 
the resulting recommendations were 
discussed and, where appropriate, 
approved by the Board. 

In terms of implementation:

 – a sub-Committee of the Board has 
been established to oversee the 
implementation of those 
recommendations of benefit to the 
full Board; and

 – in the case of recommendations which 
relate directly to the terms of reference 
of a Board Committee, that 
Committee has been tasked with 
considering, and implementing the 
necessary course of action. 

Evaluation of the Chairman
The evaluation of the Chairman’s 
performance was considered by the 
Non-Executive Directors led by the 
Senior Independent Director.

2021 External Board evaluation 

The interviews were wide-ranging and 
covered a number of areas including:

 – the role and effectiveness of the Board 

and Committees; 

 – the Directors’ insight into the business;

 – the information provided to the 

Directors; and

 – matters such as risk, culture and 

people issues.

2021 Board evaluation findings

The Board has concluded that, based on 
the evaluation, it has a good number of 
strengths, such as:

 – a constructive relationship between 
the Board and management team;

 – an evident emphasis on maintaining 
and promoting an ethical corporate 
culture;

 – a strong strategic focus across 

discussions;

 – the depth of experience of the Non-
Executive Directors and its value to 
management; and

 – strong leadership of Board Committees 

which are supported well by 
management.

The principal recommendations arising 
from the 2021 Board evaluation process 
include the following:

Area of focus Action

Risk 
management 
reporting

Reviewing risk management 
reporting and the findings of 
internal audit 

July 21: Short-list of Board review 
firms considered by Chairman and 
Senior Independent Director 
resulting in selection of 
Independent Audit Limited

August 21: Scope of review agreed 
with Company Secretary and 
Senior Independent Director

Aug/Sept 21: Board Reviewer 
reviews past Board and 
Committee meeting papers and 
attends Board & Committee 
meetings 

Sept 21: Interviews with Board 
members, Company Secretary, 
External Audit Partner, Head  
of Internal Audit and senior 
management

Oct 21: Report considered  
by Senior Independent  
Director & Chairman

Nov 21: Board discusses findings 
for implementation

External 
perspectives

Feb 22: Action plan for 
implementation agreed

Continuing the 
momentum on 
ESG matters

People & 
culture

Enabling 
deeper 
strategic 
discussions

Optimising the balance 
between management 
reporting and discussions 
on strategic matters, and 
considering key strategic 
themes over longer time 
horizons

Incorporating, in a more 
structured way, the views of 
external stakeholders to 
enhance strategic planning

Considering wider use  
of ESG related indicators  
for performance monitoring,  
and supporting management’s 
efforts in reporting on  
ESG matters 

Enhancing the Board’s visibility 
of people issues and the 
embedding of the target 
organisational culture

Board 
meeting 
effectiveness

Reformatting Board material 
to enhance discussion and 
optimising the holding of 
virtual meetings

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

2021 was an active year for the Company 
which saw the Audit Committee support the 
Board on many fronts.”

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the Audit 
Committee report for the year ended 
31 December 2021.

We have set out in this section of the 
Annual Report details of how the Audit 
Committee has supported the Board 
through its primary responsibilities 
focused on financial reporting, internal 
controls and risk management. 

2021 saw management focus not only on 
ensuring the safe continuity of operations 
despite the ongoing risks posed by Covid 
but also the execution of a number of 
strategic transactions including the 
demerger of Hochschild’s rare-earths 
business, Aclara Resources. As described 
later in this report, the Audit Committee 
played its part in reviewing Aclara’s 
internal audit and compliance initiatives 
in preparation for its separation from 
the Group.

The year was also notable for the 
socio-political developments in Peru, 
Argentina and Chile where the Group has 
its principal assets, which have had an 
impact on the recurring issues that the 
Audit Committee considers in the 
preparation of the annual accounts. In 
particular, the uncertainty caused by 
domestic politics and government action 
and their knock-on effects can affect the 
valuation of the Company’s assets. The 
Committee has reviewed management’s 

assessment which is discussed further 
from page 95. Such considerations 
also have repercussions for our going 
concern statement which the 
Committee has reviewed through 
scrutiny of management’s analysis and 
the assumptions used in the scenarios 
modelled to test the robustness of the 
Company’s financial health.

In order to be fully prepared to meet 
new requirements, the Committee has 
been kept informed of developments 
that can impact the work that it 
does, such as the UK Government’s 
consultation on proposed reforms 
to various aspects of audit and 
governance. While the outcome of 
the consultation has not yet been 
published, we will continue to monitor 
this and other relevant initiatives.

Finally, I am pleased that our first 
externally-facilitated Board/
Committee evaluation recognised 
a number of positive aspects of the 
workings of the Committee alongside 
areas for improvement. We are 
committed to continuous improvement 
and so we will be considering 
recommendations in relation to risk 
and internal audit reporting which 
could further enhance how the 
Committee performs its role. 

Eileen Kamerick
Committee Chair

2021 Meeting attendance

Members

Independent

Eileen Kamerick, Non-Executive Director (Chair)

Michael Rawlinson, Non-Executive Director

Jill Gardiner, Non-Executive Director

Yes

Yes

Yes

Maximum
possible
attendance

Actual
attendance

4

4

4

4

4

4

 92  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 93  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Key roles and responsibilities
 – To monitor the integrity and material 
accuracy of the Company’s financial 
statements and related disclosures; 

 – To monitor the effectiveness of the 

Company’s internal controls and risk 
management systems and review the 
preparation of the going concern and 
viability statements; 

 – To review, on behalf of the Board, the 
Company’s procedures for detecting 
fraud, the Company’s systems and 
controls for the prevention of bribery 
and to review and conclude on non-
compliance; 

 – Oversight of the Internal Audit 

function, review of its annual work 
plan and its findings; 

 – To oversee the relationship with the 

Company’s external Auditor; 

 – To review the effectiveness of the 

external audit process; and 

 – To report to shareholders annually on 
the Committee’s activities including 
details of the significant audit issues 
encountered during the year and how 
they have been addressed.

Membership 
Eileen Kamerick was, during the year 
under review, and currently serves as, the 
chair of the Audit Committee. Eileen was 
formerly a Chief Financial Officer of a 
number of US-based companies 
operating in the mining, oil and gas, 
investment banking and recruitment 
sectors. Eileen currently chairs the audit 
committees of the Legg Mason Closed 
End Mutual Funds and NASDAQ-listed 
ACV Auctions Inc. Eileen holds the 
Directorship Certification of the US 
National Association of Corporate 
Directors (‘NACD’) and is a Board 
Leadership Fellow of the NACD.

Michael Rawlinson’s career in banking 
specialised in the mining sector, having 
initially worked as an analyst and 
corporate financier, serving most recently 
as Global Co-Head of Mining and Metals 
at Barclays Investment Bank from 2013 
until his retirement from that role in June 
2017. Michael currently serves on the 
audit committees of London-listed 
Capital Limited and AIM-listed AfriTin 
Mining Limited.

Jill Gardiner was formerly an investment 
banker at RBC Capital Markets with a 
focus on certain commodity and energy 
related industries. She has served on and 
chaired numerous audit committees and 
currently serves as Chair of Trevali 
Mining Corporation and Capital Power 
Corporation both of which are listed 
on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Committee members are considered 
to be Independent Directors and the 
Board is satisfied that at least one 
member has recent and relevant financial 
experience and that the Committee, as a 
whole, has competence relevant to the 
sector in which the Company operates.

For further details on the skills and 
experience of the Committee members, 
please refer to the biographical details on 
pages 78 and 79. The performance of the 
Committee was considered as part of the 
annual Board evaluation process which 
was considered by the whole Board.

Attendees 
The lead partner of the external Auditor, 
EY, the Chair of the Company, the Chief 
Executive Officer, the Chief Financial 
Officer, the Vice President of Legal & 
Corporate Affairs and the Head of 
Internal Audit attend each Audit 
Committee meeting by invitation. The 
Company Secretary acts as Secretary 
to the Committee.

Aclara Resources 

As part of the preparation for the 
demerger of Aclara Resources from the 
Hochschild Mining Group, the Audit 
Committee considered the work 
undertaken by the Internal Audit 
function. In particular, the Audit 
Committee received updates on:

 – the establishment of a compliance 
function and a related training 
programme covering the behaviours 
expected by the Code of Conduct; 
and

 – the implementation of the 

recommendations arising from a risk 
assessment covering fraud 
prevention and conflicts of interest in 
the procurement process.

Activity during the year
The Committee considered the following 
principal matters during the year: 

Financial reporting – The 2020 Annual 
Report and Accounts and the 2021 
Half-Yearly Report were reviewed by the 
Committee before recommending that 
they be adopted by the Board. In its 
review of these financial reports, the Audit 
Committee reviewed accounting policies, 
estimates and judgements applied in 
preparing the relevant statements and 
the transparency and clarity of 
disclosures contained within them. 

Review of audit plans – In line with its 
usual practice, the Committee considered 
reports from the external Auditor on the 
scope and structure of the review of the 
half-yearly results and audit of the annual 
results and any recommendations on the 
Company’s processes and controls.

During the year, the Committee members 
held meetings with the external Auditor 
without executive management to discuss 
matters relating to the 2020 annual audit 
and the 2021 Half-Yearly Report. 

Risk management – Consideration 
and challenge of risk management 
assessments which incorporate a risk 
matrix detailing (i) the most significant 
and emerging risks facing the Group, (ii) 
an evaluation reflecting the likelihood of 
the occurrence of the risk and the extent 
of the potential impact on the Group, and 
(iii) commentary on the steps taken to 
manage each specific risk. See page 68 
for a description of the process by which 
the Group’s principal and emerging risks 
are identified and monitored, and the 
actions taken during the year to 
mitigate them. 

Internal audit – The Audit Committee 
continued to oversee and challenge  
the Group’s adoption of a risk-based 
approach to internal audit. The Audit 
Committee Chair receives a quarterly 
report from the Head of Internal Audit 
which sets out specific areas covered, 
improvements being recommended and 
introduced, and proposals for the 
programme over the following three 
months. The CEO and Chief Financial 
Officer also receive copies of these 
reports and robustly support the 
activities of the Internal Audit function. 
On three occasions during the year, the 
Committee met with the Head of Internal 
of Audit without the presence of executive 
management to discuss, among other 
things, the resourcing of the function 
and the scheduled work plan.

Internal control – Through the processes 
described on the following page, the Audit 
Committee reviewed the adequacy of the 
Group’s internal control environment and 
risk management systems. 

Whistleblowing – In line with the 2018 
Corporate Governance Code, the Audit 
Committee reviewed, on behalf of the 
Board, the adequacy of the Group’s 
whistleblowing arrangements. 
Whistleblowing reports are circulated to 
a group comprising the Audit Committee 
Chair (‘AC Chair’), the Head of Internal 
Audit, the Vice-President of Human 
Resources and the Company Secretary 
(‘the Reporting Group’); the AC Chair has 
a preliminary discussion with the Head of 
Internal Audit on the approach to the 
investigation; and the findings of the 
investigation are then reported, in the 
first instance, to the AC Chair and the 
Reporting Group and to the next 
scheduled meeting of the Audit 
Committee. The Committee ensures 
that the availability of the whistleblowing 
arrangements is publicised across the 
organisation and, during the year, a 
video was produced which was 
circulated to all staff.

Fraud and bribery – The Audit Committee 
continued to review and challenge the 
actions taken by management to 
promote ethical and transparent 
working practices. 

The Group’s Code of Conduct describes 
the values and standards of behaviour 
expected of our employees and our 
business partners. In addition, the Group 
has adopted a specific anti-bribery and 
anti-corruption policy to reflect the 
Board’s zero tolerance of these types of 
acts. This policy is circulated to all 
employees by the CEO on a periodic 
basis, highlighting the consequences of 
acting in breach of its provisions which 
may include termination of employment 
and criminal proceedings. 

External audit –The Audit Committee 
oversees the relationship with the 
external Auditor. EY was first appointed 
by the Company as Auditor in 2006 and, 
following a tender process undertaken in 
Q1 2016, was reappointed. The Audit 
Committee evaluated the performance 
of EY in 2021 and concluded that it was 
appropriate to recommend the re-
appointment of EY as external Auditor 
at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. 
The Audit Committee reviewed the 
findings of the external Auditor and 
management letters, and reviewed 
and approved the audit fees. 

During the year, the Audit Committee 
evaluated the effectiveness of EY and 
the external audit process, taking into 
account the results of Hochschild 
management’s internal survey relating 
to EY’s performance as well as views and 
recommendations from management 
and its own experiences with the external 
Auditor. Key criteria of the evaluation 
included resources and expertise, quality 
and timeliness of the audit process, 
quality of communication and reporting 
to the Audit Committee. 

Auditor objectivity – The Audit 
Committee has adopted a policy on 
the use of the external Auditor for the 
provision of non-audit services (see later 
section on Auditor independence for 
more details).

Governance – The Audit Committee 
received updates from the Auditor and 
the Company Secretary on regulatory 
and other developments impacting the 
Committee’s role. During the year, the 
Committee received detailed updates 
with regards to the UK Government’s 
consultation on significant reforms to 
audit and governance. In light of the 
wide-ranging nature of the proposals, 
the Committee sought advice from its 

advisers, including external counsel, for a 
full understanding of the implications for 
the Committee as well as on Directors’ 
duties and liabilities generally. 

Evaluation – In relation to the evaluation 
of the Committee’s performance, this was 
carried out as part of the annual Board 
evaluation which, as reported earlier in 
this Corporate Governance Report, was 
facilitated by Independent Audit Limited. 
The facilitator observed a meeting of the 
Audit Committee and aspects of the 
Committee’s role were discussed in the 
one-to-one interviews held with each 
Board member. Recommendations of 
particular relevance to the Committee’s 
work relate to the reporting of risk and 
internal audit findings which will be 
considered further in the current year.

Tax compliance strategy – The Audit 
Committee approved on behalf of the 
Board a document on the Group’s 
approach to UK tax matters. The 
document can be found at: www.
hochschildmining.com/en/responsibility/
tax_compliance_strategy

Significant issues relating to the 
2021 financial statements
As recommended by the Code, 
the following is a summary of the 
significant issues considered by the 
Committee in relation to the 2021 
financial statements and how these 
issues have been addressed.

(a) Aclara demerger
The accounting for the demerger of 
Aclara Resources in December 2021, 
including the estimation of the fair value 
of the in specie dividend (being the 
method employed to demerge Aclara 
from the Group).

The Audit Committee considered and 
challenged management’s judgement 
and estimates and concluded that the 
accounting approach was appropriate 
and that the relevant disclosures have 
been made.

(b) Impairments
The Audit Committee considered 
management’s analysis of potential 
indicators of impairment and impairment 
reversals across the Group’s assets which 
concluded that:

 – there were no triggers for impairment 

(or impairment reversals) at Inmaculada 
and San Jose; and

 – the lower than expected production 

from Pallancata in 2021, primarily due 
to lower grades, and a new Life of Mine 
plan resulting in higher forecast capital 
expenditure were considered triggers 
for impairment.

 94  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 95  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

In conclusion, the Committee is content 
and recommended to the Board that the 
Directors should continue to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the annual financial 
statements.

Please refer to the Directors’ Report 
on page 82 for its confirmation to 
shareholders on the appropriateness 
of the going concern assumption and 
the Risk Management section on the 
Directors’ approach to the longer-term 
Viability Statement.

(d) Mine rehabilitation provision
The Audit Committee considered the 
judgement exercised by management 
in assessing the amounts required to be 
paid by the Company to rehabilitate the 
Group’s assets.

In its assessment of the analysis 
undertaken by management and an 
independent third party, the Audit 
Committee took into account: 

 – the basis of the estimation of future 

rehabilitation costs; 

 – the discount rate applied; 

 – significant changes in estimates and 
the basis and level of new costs; and 

 – the accounting for the changes in 

the provisions.

The Audit Committee concluded that 
the provision is appropriate.

Auditor independence
The Audit Committee continues to 
oversee the implementation of specific 
policies designed to safeguard the 
independence and objectivity of the 
Auditor, which includes the Group’s policy 
on the provision of non-audit services.

Policy on the use of Auditor for  
non-audit services
Following the issue of the Revised Ethical 
Standard 2019 by the Financial Reporting 
Council (the ‘FRC’), the Audit Committee 
adopted a revised policy on the use of the 
Auditor for non-audit services (the ‘2020 
NAS Policy’).

In addition, the annual impairment test 
was carried out with respect to the 
Volcan project.

The Audit Committee considered: 

 – analyst consensus price forecasts for 

silver and gold; and 

 – the underlying calculation of the 

impairment review.

With regards to the Volcan project, the 
Committee considered management’s 
approach to the value in-situ analysis and 
its assumptions.

In conclusion, the Audit Committee 
concurred with management that an 
impairment of $24.9 million be made as 
at 31 December 2021 with respect to 
Pallancata and that no impairments or 
impairment reversals be recognised 
with regards to Inmaculada, San Jose 
and Volcan.

(c) Going concern assessment
The Directors must satisfy themselves 
as to the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern to 31 March 2023, being a 
minimum of 12 months from the approval 
of the financial statements. The Audit 
Committee supported the Board in this 
assessment by considering whether, in 
adverse circumstances, the Company 
has adequate liquid resources to meet its 
obligations as they fall due. Such potential 
adverse circumstances included a 
four-week suspension across all three 
mines and an increase in royalties and 
taxes combined with significantly lower 
precious metal prices. In February 2022, 
the Audit Committee reviewed the Group 
budget and cash flow forecasts for the 
going concern period taking into account 
the Company’s anticipated production 
profiles at each mine, budgeted capital 
and exploration expenditure and the 
sensitivity of the cash flow forecasts 
to movements in precious metal prices. 
In addition, the Audit Committee 
corroborated its assessment through 
consideration of the processes 
undertaken by the Auditor in its testing 
of management’s going concern 
assessment and on the reasonableness 
of assumptions therein, including their 
consistency with assumptions and 
estimates used elsewhere in the 
preparation of the financial statements. 
In particular, the Committee challenged 
management on the feasibility of the 
mitigating actions.

The 2020 NAS Policy reflects the Revised 
Ethical Standard in permitting the 
engagement of the Auditor only for 
additional services that are directly linked 
to the audit or are required by law and/or 
regulation. The 2020 NAS Policy requires 
(i) the Audit Committee and Chief 
Financial Officer to approve all non-audit 
services undertaken by the external 
Auditor and (ii) that the cost of non-audit 
services rendered by the external Auditor, 
in any financial year, cannot exceed 70% 
of the average of the audit fees paid to 
the external Auditor in the last three 
consecutive financial years. 

2021 Audit and non-audit fees
Please refer to note 33 to the consolidated 
financial statements for details of the fees 
paid to the external Auditor.

Safeguards
Additional safeguards to ensure Auditor 
objectivity and independence include: 

 – six-monthly reports to the Audit 

Committee from the Auditor analysing 
the fees for non-audit services 
rendered; and 

 – an annual assessment, by the Audit 

Committee, of the Auditor’s objectivity 
and independence in light of all 
relationships between the Company 
and the audit firm.

Compliance Statement required under 
Article 7.1 of the Statutory Audit Services 
for Large Companies Market 
Investigation (Mandatory Use of 
Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014 
(the ‘Order’)
The Company confirms that it has 
complied with the Order during the year 
under review.

Internal control and risk management
Whilst the Board has overall responsibility 
for the Group’s system of internal control 
including risk management and for 
reviewing its effectiveness, responsibility 
for the periodic review of the effectiveness 
of these controls has been delegated to 
the Audit Committee. Notwithstanding 
this delegation of authority, the Board 
continues to monitor the strategic risks 
to which the Company is exposed in the 
context of a risk appetite that is under 
continuous review. Internal controls are 
managed by the use of formal procedures 
designed to highlight financial, 
operational, environmental and social 
risks and provide appropriate information 
to the Board enabling it to protect 
effectively the Company’s assets and, 
in turn, maintain shareholder value.

The process used by the Audit Committee 
to assess the effectiveness of risk 
management and internal control 
systems comprises: 

 – reports from the Head of the Internal 

Audit function; 

 – reviews of accounting and financial 

reporting processes together with the 
internal control environment at Group 
level. This involves the monitoring of 
performance and the taking of relevant 
action through the monthly review of 
Key Performance Indicators and, where 
required, the production of revised 
forecasts. The Group has adopted a 
standard accounting manual to be 
followed by all finance teams, which is 
continually updated to ensure the 
consistent recognition and treatment of 
transactions and production of the 
consolidated financial statements; 

 – the external Auditor’s observations of 

the Company’s internal control 
environment; 

 – review of budgets and reporting against 

budgets; and 

 – consideration of progress against 

strategic objectives.

The system of internal control is designed 
to manage rather than eliminate the risk 
of failure to achieve business objectives 
and it must be recognised that such a 
system can only provide reasonable and 
not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

Audit Committee’s assessment
At its February 2022 meeting, the Audit 
Committee reviewed the process 
described above and is satisfied that, for 
the year under review and the period from 
1 January 2022 to the date of approval of 
the Annual Report and Accounts, internal 
controls are in place at the operational 
level within the Group.

Board’s assessment

Risk management
Throughout the year, the Board 
considered its risk appetite which was 
considered to be appropriate. The Board 
confirms that its assessment of the 
emerging and principal risks facing the 
Company, including those that would 
threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity, and 
which are set out in the Risk Management 
and Viability section, was robust.

Internal control
As detailed above, the Board, through the 
delegated authority granted to the Audit 
Committee, monitors the ongoing process 
by which critical risks to the business are 
identified, evaluated and managed. This 
process is consistent with the FRC’s 
‘Guidance on Risk Management, Internal 
Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting’ published in 2014.

The Directors confirm that, with the 
support of the Audit Committee, the 
effectiveness of the Company’s system of 
risk management and internal controls 
has been reviewed during the year under 
review. These covered material controls, 
which included controls covering 
operational, financial and compliance 
matters. The controls operated effectively 
during the financial year although, as is 
the case for many large companies, 
additional controls were implemented or 
further strengthened during the year. The 
Audit Committee was made aware of the 
control changes and there was no 
significant impact on the financial results. 
The Directors confirm that no significant 
failings or weaknesses were identified as 
a result of the review of the effectiveness 
of the Group’s system of internal control.

 96  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 97  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Nomination Committee plays a crucial 
role in ensuring that the Board and senior 
management have the right balance of skills 
to achieve our strategic goals.’’

Dear Shareholder
I am delighted to report that, during 2021, 
the Committee saw progress on a number of 
matters within its scope of responsibilities, 
primarily Board composition and balance, 
and succession planning for the Board 
and the executive team.

We reported last year that the Board was 
committed to meeting the target set by 
the Hampton-Alexander Review of 
one-third female Board representation by 
the end of 2021. It was with great 
pleasure, therefore, that we were able to 
announce the appointment of Tracey Kerr 
as an Independent Non-Executive 
Director. Our search process, which is 
described in more detail later in this 
report, was led by a need to identify a 

candidate who could support our 
programme of ESG-related initiatives. 
Tracey’s substantial experience in the 
areas of sustainability, safety and, not 
least, geology will be of enormous 
value to the Board. 

In addition to reviewing the Board skills 
matrix earlier in the year, the 
Committee received regular updates 
on the recruitment and selection of key 
executive positions to place us firmly 
on track to meet our strategic goals.

Eduardo Hochschild
Committee Chair

2021 Meeting attendance

Members

Eduardo Hochschild, Committee Chair

Graham Birch, Non-Executive Director

Jorge Born, Non-Executive Director

Jill Gardiner, Non-Executive Director

Eileen Kamerick, Non-Executive Director

Tracey Kerr, Non-Executive Director*

Michael Rawlinson, Non-Executive Director

Dionisio Romero Paoletti, Non-Executive Director 

Sanjay Sarma, Non-Executive Director***

Independent

Maximum
possible
attendance

Actual
attendance

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

3

3

3

3

3

–

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

 3

–

 3

2** 

 3

*  Tracey Kerr was appointed a member of the Committee on joining the Board on 10 December 2021
**    Dionisio Romero Paoletti was unable to attend the February 2021 Committee meeting due to a 

conflicting engagement

*** Sanjay Sarma stepped down from the Committee on his retirement from the Board on 10 December 2021

Recruitment process
The recruitment process for Tracey was 
overseen by the Nomination Committee 
which was supported by search firm 
London Search Associates, which 
provided a long-list of potential 
candidates with experience of ESG 
matters and/or operational mining. 
A short-list was drawn up and a sub-
committee of the Nomination Committee 
carried out interviews prior to 
recommending Tracey Kerr’s 
appointment to the Board.

Neither the Company nor any individual 
Director has any connection with London 
Search Associates.

Diversity

Policy on Board appointments 
The Board is committed to the overriding 
principle that every member and 
potential appointee must be able to 
demonstrate the skills and knowledge to 
be able to make a valued contribution to 
the Board. It is also acknowledged that 
diversity brings new perspectives which 
can drive superior business performance 
and promote innovation. 

The Directors have therefore adopted a 
multifaceted approach to Board 
recruitment which:

 – primarily considers a candidate’s merits; 

 – seeks opportunities to ensure the 

ongoing diversity of the Board (whether 
of gender, culture, race, professional 
background, nationality or otherwise) 
which will also reflect the Company’s 
specific context including that it is 
headquartered in Peru with operating 
assets located solely in South America. 

Increasing workforce diversity
The Company is committed to redressing 
the gender imbalance in its workforce. 
Please refer to page 61 for further details 
of the diversity and inclusion initiatives 
and the progress made by the Company 
over the course of 2021. 

Key roles and responsibilities
 – Identify and nominate candidates for 

Board approval; 

 – Make recommendations to the Board 

on composition and balance; 

 – Oversee the succession planning of 

Board and senior management 
positions; and 

 – Review the Directors’ external interests 
with regards to actual, perceived or 
potential conflicts of interest.

Membership 
The members of the Committee are listed 
opposite. Tracey Kerr was appointed a 
member of the Committee following her 
appointment to the Board on 10 
December 2021 and Sanjay Sarma 
stepped down from the Committee 
following his retirement from the Board on 
that same date.

The Company Secretary acts as 
Secretary to the Committee.

Activity during the year
The principal matters considered by the 
Committee are outlined below. 

Reporting
 – The report of the Committee’s activities 
for inclusion in the 2020 Annual Report;

Board/Committee composition
 – The appointment of Eileen Kamerick 
as a member of the Sustainability 
Committee;

 – The selection and recruitment process 
for the appointment of an Independent 
Non-Executive Director and the 
subsequent review of conflicts of 
interest prior to recommending the 
appointment of Tracey Kerr (see 
‘Appointments to the Board’ section 
below for further details);

Succession planning
 – Non-Executive succession plan 

To support the search process which 
resulted in the appointment of Tracey 
Kerr, the Committee considered a skills 
matrix which (a) maps the extent to 
which key strategic skills are 
represented around the Board table; 
and (b) identifies any skill gaps that 
arise on the anticipated retirements 
from the Board;

 – Executive succession and 

development plan

The Committee received updates on 
the selection and recruitment process 
for several senior management 
positions of strategic importance 
including the role of VP, North 
America and the Project CEO for 
the Volcan project;

Endorsed the recommended 
appointment of Eduardo Noriega as 
Chief Financial Officer in place of 
Ramon Barua who left Hochschild 
Mining’s employment to assume the 
position of Aclara’s CEO following its 
demerger from the Group;

Subsequent to the year-end, the 
Committee considered the Talent 
Review Plan which, in addition to setting 
out the developmental needs for senior 
executives, also identifies successors to 
‘Critical Positions’ and their personal 
development strategies;

Conflicts of interest
 – Consideration of conflicts of interest 
arising prior to Michael Rawlinson’s 
appointment to the board of AfriTin 
Mining Limited.

Evaluation
 – The action plan to implement the 

findings of the 2020 Board evaluation 
process relating to Board composition 
which resulted in, among other things, 
Tracey Kerr’s appointment (referred 
to above);

 – In line with the Committee’s prior 

year recommendation, an externally-
facilitated Board and Committee 
evaluation process was undertaken 
by Independent Audit Limited in 2021. 
The performance of the Committee 
was evaluated as part of this process 
which, among other things, highlighted 
further consideration of the optimal 
composition of the Committee, a 
deeper review of issues arising from 
Executive succession planning and 
the succession of the Board Chair. 
For further details of the review, please 
refer to page 92.

Appointments to the Board 
The Company’s approach
In seeking candidates for appointment to 
the Board, regard is given to relevant 
experience and the skills required to 
complete the composition of a balanced 
Board, taking into account the challenges 
and opportunities facing the Company.

The Board’s annual evaluation back in 
2019 and its review of the Board 
succession plan identified opportunities 
to acquire skills that would support the 
Company’s strategic path and, at the 
same time, improve the gender diversity 
of the Board. As reported last year, this 
resulted in the appointment of Jill 
Gardiner and, in December 2021, Tracey 
Kerr joined the Board as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director. 

 98  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 99  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

 – the Directors may:

	• in their absolute discretion, refuse to 
register a transfer if it is in favour of 
more than four persons jointly; and
	• decline to register a transfer of any of 

the Company’s shares by a person with 
a 0.25% interest, if such a person has 
been served with a notice under the 
Companies Act after failure to provide 
the Company with information 
concerning interests in those shares 
required to be provided under the 
Companies Act.

(d) Restrictions on voting
No member shall be entitled to vote at 
any general meeting or class meeting in 
respect of any shares held by him or her, if 
any call or other sum then payable by him 
or her in respect of that share remains 
unpaid. Currently, all issued shares 
are fully paid.

In addition, no member shall be entitled 
to vote if he or she failed to provide the 
Company with information concerning 
interests in those shares required to be 
provided under the Companies Act.

e) Deadlines for voting rights
Votes are exercisable at the general 
meeting of the Company in respect of 
which the business being voted upon is 
being heard.

Votes may be exercised in person, by 
proxy or, in relation to corporate 
members, by a corporate representative. 
Under the Articles, the deadline for 
delivering proxy forms cannot be earlier 
than 48 hours (excluding non-working 
days) before the meeting for which the 
proxy is being appointed.

Introduction
References in this section to ‘the Articles’ 
are to the Company’s Articles of 
Association as at the date of this report, 
copies of which are available from the 
Registrar of Companies or on request 
from the Company Secretary.

References in this section to ‘the 
Companies Act’ are to the Companies 
Act 2006.

Share capital
Issued share capital
The Company’s issued share capital 
comprises 513,875,563 ordinary shares of 
25 pence each (‘shares’). No shares were 
issued during the year ended 31 
December 2021.

The Hochschild Mining Employee Share 
Trust (‘the Trust’) is an employee share 
trust established to hold shares on trust 
for the benefit of employees within 
the Group.

The Trustee of the Trust has absolute 
discretion to vote or abstain from voting in 
relation to the shares held by it from time 
to time and in doing so may take into 
account the interests of current and 
future beneficiaries and other 
considerations.

Current share repurchase authority
The Company obtained shareholder 
approval at the AGM held in May 2021 
for the repurchase of up to 51,387,556 
shares which represents 10% of the 
Company’s issued share capital (‘the 
2021 Authority’). Whilst no purchases 
have been made by the Company 
pursuant to the 2021 Authority, it is 
intended that shareholder consent will 
be sought on similar terms at this year’s 
AGM when the 2021 Authority expires.

Additional share capital information
This section provides additional 
information as at 31 December 2021.

(a) Structure of share capital
The Company has a single class of share 
capital which is divided into ordinary 
shares of 25 pence each, which are in 
registered form.

Further information on the Company’s 
share capital is provided in note 29 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

(b) Rights and obligations attaching 
to shares 
The rights attaching to the ordinary 
shares are described in full in the Articles. 
In summary, on a show of hands and on 
a poll at a general meeting or class 
meeting, every member present in person 
or, subject to the below, by proxy has one 
vote for every ordinary share held. 
However, in the case of a vote on a 
show of hands, where a proxy has been 
appointed by more than one member, 
the proxy has one vote for and one vote 
against if the proxy has been instructed 
by one or more members to vote for the 
resolution and by one or more members 
to vote against the resolution.

Members are entitled to appoint a proxy 
to exercise all or any of their rights to 
attend and to speak and vote on their 
behalf at a general meeting or class 
meeting. A member that is a corporation 
is entitled to appoint more than one 
individual to act on its behalf at a general 
meeting or class meetings as a corporate 
representative.

(c) Transfer of shares
The relevant provisions of the Articles 
state that:

 – registration of a transfer of an 

uncertificated share may be refused in 
the circumstances set out in the CREST 
Regulations and where, in the case of a 
transfer to joint holders, the number of 
joint holders to whom the uncertificated 
share is to be transferred exceeds four;

 – the Directors may, in their absolute 
discretion, decline to register any 
transfer of any share which is not a fully 
paid share. The Directors may also 
decline to recognise any instrument of 
transfer relating to a certificated share 
unless the instrument of transfer:
	• is duly stamped (if required) and is  

accompanied by the relevant share  
certificate(s) and such other evidence  
of the right to transfer as the Directors 
may reasonably require; and

	• is in respect of only one class of share.

Substantial shareholdings
The Company has been notified of the interests detailed in the table below in the 
Company’s shares in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Financial Conduct Authority’s 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

As at 31 December 2021

Eduardo Hochschild1

Number of 
ordinary 
shares/voting 
rights

Percentage of 
issued share 
capital

Nature of 
holding

196,900,306

38.32%

Indirect

Majedie Asset Management Limited2

25,384,745

4.94%

Indirect

Van Eck Associates Corporation

17,949,877

3.49%

Direct

1  The shareholding of Mr Eduardo Hochschild is held through Pelham Investment Corporation.
2  The information disclosed is taken from the latest notification received by the Company from Majedie Asset 
Management Limited in October 2018.

Shareholder agreements
The Relationship Agreement entered into 
prior to the IPO between, amongst others, 
the Major Shareholder (as defined in the 
Relationship Agreement) and Eduardo 
Hochschild (collectively ‘the Controlling 
Shareholders’) and the Company:

 – contains provisions restricting the 
Controlling Shareholders’ rights to 
exercise their voting rights to procure an 
amendment to the Articles that would 
be inconsistent with the Relationship 
Agreement; and

 – contains an undertaking by the 

Controlling Shareholders that they will, 
and will procure that their Associates 
will, abstain from voting on any 
resolution to approve a transaction with 
a related party (as defined in the FCA 
Listing Rules) involving the Controlling 
Shareholders or their Associates.

Significant agreements
A change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid may cause a 
number of agreements to which the 
Company, or any of its trading 
subsidiaries, is party to take effect, alter 
or terminate. Such agreements include 
commercial trading contracts, joint 
venture agreements and financing 
arrangements.

Further details are given below of those 
arrangements where the impact may be 
considered to be significant in the context 
of the Group.

(a) $300 million Credit Agreement
Under the terms and conditions of the 
$300 million Credit Agreement between, 
amongst others, the Group and 
Scotiabank Peru S.A.A, a Change of 
Control obliges the Group to prepay all 
Advances (as defined in the agreement) 
unless any Lender notifies the Group that 
it is declining any such prepayment in 

which case the Advances owing to such 
declining Lender shall not be prepaid.

In summary, a Change of Control means 
an event or series of events by which: (a) 
the Permitted Holders (being Eduardo 
Hochschild, his spouse, either of their 
descendants or estate or guardian of any 
of the aforementioned, a trust for the 
benefit of one or more of the 
aforementioned or any entity controlled by 
any one or more of the aforementioned) 
shall for any reason cease, individually or 
in the aggregate, to be the beneficial 
owners (as so defined) of at least 30% of 
the Company’s shares; or (b) the Permitted 
Holders shall for any reason cease, 
individually or in the aggregate, to have 
the power to appoint at least the number 
of the members of the Board of Directors 
or other equivalent governing body of the 
Company that the Permitted Holders are 
permitted to elect as at 20 September 
2021; or (c) the Company shall for any 
reason cease, directly or through one or 
more of its Subsidiaries, to be the 
‘beneficial owner’ (as so defined) of more 
than 50% of the Equity Interests in 
Compania Minera Ares S.A.C.

(b) Long-Term Incentive Plans
Awards made under the Group’s Long-
Term Incentive Plan shall, upon a change 
of control of the Company, vest early 
unless a replacement award is made. 
Vesting will be pro-rated to take account 
of the proportion of the period from the 
award date to the normal vesting date 
falling prior to the change of control and 
the extent to which performance 
conditions (and any other conditions) 
applying to the award have been met.

Summary of constitutional and other 
provisions
Appointment of Directors
Under the terms of the Articles Directors 
may be appointed by the Company by 

ordinary resolution or by the Board. A 
Director appointed by the Board holds 
office only until the next following AGM 
and is then eligible for election by 
shareholders but is not taken into account 
in determining the Directors or the 
number of Directors who are to retire by 
rotation at that meeting.

The Directors may from time to time 
appoint one or more of their body to be 
the holder of any executive office for such 
period (subject to the Companies Act) 
and on such terms as they may determine 
and may revoke or terminate any such 
appointment.

Each Director is subject to periodic 
re-election by shareholders at intervals 
of no more than every three years. Each 
Director (other than the Chairman and 
any Director holding executive office) 
shall retire at each AGM following the 
ninth anniversary of the date on which 
he or she was elected by the Company.

Approach to appointments adopted 
by the Board
Under law, the Company is entitled to 
adopt such practices which are no less 
stringent than those set out in the Articles. 
Accordingly, notwithstanding the above, 
the Board has adopted the 
recommendation of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code that all Directors should 
seek annual re-election by shareholders.

2014 Listing Rules
Following the implementation, in 2014, 
of new Listing Rules by the Financial 
Conduct Authority (in its capacity as the 
UK Listing Authority), as a company with 
a controlling shareholder, the election or 
re-election of any Independent Director 
must be approved by: (i) all shareholders 
of the Company; and (ii) the independent 
shareholders of the Company (i.e. any 
person entitled to vote on the election of 
Directors of the Company who is not a 
controlling shareholder).

If either shareholder resolution to elect or 
re-elect the Independent Director is 
defeated, the Company may propose a 
further resolution to elect or re-elect the 
proposed Independent Director provided 
that the further resolution must not be 
voted on within 90 days from the date of 
the original vote but it must then be voted 
on within a period of 30 days from the end 
of the 90 day period. It may then be 
passed by a simple majority of the 
shareholders of the Company voting 
as a single class.

 100  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 101  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION CONTINUED

Removal of Directors
The Company may, in accordance 
with and subject to the provisions of the 
Companies Act by ordinary resolution 
of which special notice has been given, 
remove any Director before the expiration 
of his/her term of office. The office of 
Director shall be vacated if: (i) s/he is 
prohibited by law from acting as a Director; 
(ii) s/he resigns or offers to resign and the 
Directors resolve to accept such offer; (iii) 
s/he becomes bankrupt or compounds 
with his/her creditors generally; (iv) a 
relevant order has been made by any 
court on the grounds of mental disorder; 
(v) s/ he is absent without permission of the 
Directors from meetings of the Board for 
six months and the Directors resolve that 
his/her office be vacated; (vi) his/her 
resignation is requested in writing by not 
less than three quarters of the Directors 
for the time being; or (vii) in the case of a 
Director other than the Chairman and any 
Director holding an executive office, if the 
Directors shall resolve to require him/her to 
resign and within 30 days of being given 
notice of such notice s/he so fails to do.

Relationship Agreement
In addition, under the terms of the 
Relationship Agreement:

	• for as long as the Major Shareholder 
has an interest of 30% or more in the 
Company, it is entitled to appoint up 
to two Non-Executive Directors and 
to remove such Directors so 
appointed; and

	• for as long as the Major Shareholder 
has an interest of 15% or more of the 
Company, it is entitled to appoint up to 
one Non-Executive Director and to 
remove such Director so appointed.

Amendment of Articles of Association
Any amendments to the Articles 
may be made in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act by 
way of special resolution.

Powers of the Directors
Subject to the Articles, the Companies Act 
and any directions given by special 
resolution, the business and affairs of the 
Company shall be managed by the 
Directors who may exercise all such 
powers of the Company.

(1)

(2)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Subject to applicable statutes and other 
shareholders’ rights, shares may be 
issued with such rights or restrictions as 
the Company may by ordinary resolution 
decide or, in the absence of any such 
resolution, as the Directors may decide. 
Subject to applicable statutes and any 
ordinary resolution of the Company, all 
unissued shares of the Company are at 
the disposal of the Directors. At each 
AGM, the Company puts in place an 
annual shareholder authority seeking 
shareholder consent to allot unissued 
shares, in certain circumstances for cash, 
in accordance with the guidelines of 
certain Investor Protection Committees.

Repurchase of shares
Subject to authorisation by shareholder 
resolution, the Company may purchase 
its own shares in accordance with the 
Companies Act. Any shares which have 
been bought back may be held as 

Treasury shares or, if not so held, must be 
cancelled immediately upon completion 
of the purchase, thereby reducing the 
amount of the Company’s issued share 
capital. The minimum price which must be 
paid for such shares is specified in the 
relevant shareholder resolution.

Dividends and distributions
Subject to the provisions of the 
Companies Act, the Company may by 
ordinary resolution from time to time 
declare dividends not exceeding the 
amount recommended by the Directors.

The Directors may pay interim dividends 
whenever the financial position of the 
Company, in the opinion of the Directors, 
justifies their payment. If the Directors act 
in good faith, they are not liable to holders 
of shares with preferred or pari passu 
rights for losses arising from the payment 
of interim dividends on other shares.

Additional disclosures
Disclosure table pursuant to Listing Rule 9.8.4C R 
For the purposes of LR 9.8.4C R, the information required to be disclosed by LR 9.8.4 R 
can be found in the following parts of this Annual Report:

Section

Matter

Interest capitalised

Location

Note 16 to the 
consolidated financial 
statements

Publication of unaudited financial information

Not applicable

Details of specified long-term incentive scheme

Waiver of emoluments by a Director

Waiver of future emoluments by a Director

Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash

Item (7) in relation to major subsidiary undertakings

Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary

None

None

None

None

None

None

(10)(a)

Contract of significance in which a Director is interested

(10)(b)

Contract of significance with controlling shareholder

Directors’ Report (and 
the related note 32(c) to 
the consolidated 
financial statements)

Directors’ Report (and 
the related note 32(c) to 
the consolidated 
financial statements)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Provision of services by a controlling shareholder

Directors’ Report

Shareholder waivers of dividends

Directors’ Report

Shareholder waivers of future dividends

Directors’ Report

Agreement with controlling shareholder

Directors’ Report

Group non-financial information statement
The information below is produced to comply with sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006. The information is 
incorporated by cross-reference.

Reporting requirement

Relevant policies

Further information

KPIs

Business model

Principal risks

Environmental matters

 – Code of Conduct*

 – Corporate Sustainability 

Policy* 

 – Corporate Environmental 

Policy

Employees

 – Code of Conduct*

 – Corporate Sustainability 

Policy*

 – Protocol for the Prevention of 

Covid-19

 – Corporate Health & Safety 

Policy

Business model (page 22)

 – Risk Management & Viability 

(page 68)

 – Audit Committee report 

(page 93)

Environment section of the 
Sustainability Report (page 56)

The following sections of the 
Sustainability Report:

Our People (page 61), Health 
& Safety (page 59)

Social matters

 – Corporate Sustainability 

Policy*

 – Corporate Community 

Relations Policy*

Community Relations section 
of the Sustainability Report 
(page 54)

Human rights

 – Corporate Sustainability 

Policy*

Our People section of the 
Sustainability Report (page 61)

Anti-corruption and  
Anti-bribery matters

 – Corporate Human Rights 

Policy*

 – Diversity & Inclusion Policy*

 – Sexual Harassment Prevention 

Policy

 – Code of Conduct*

 – Anti-corruption and 

Bribery Policy*

 – Whistleblowing Policy*

Audit Committee report 
(page 93)

*  Copies available from http://www.hochschildmining.com/en/responsibility

 – GHG emissions

 – GHG intensity

 – ECO Score

 – Electricity consumption

 – Water consumption

 – Waste generation

 – % workforce unionised

 – Health consultations

 – High Potential Events rate

 – Fatalities

 – Injury Frequency rate

 – Accident Severity rate

 – Community employment

 – Community investment

 – Services and goods 

provided by suppliers from 
communities

 – Workforce by gender

 102  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 103  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT

While the Committee was, and continues 
to be, committed to remunerating senior 
executives based on a holistic assessment 
of performance, it is clear that a less 
formulaic approach than the one applied 
to the 2020 annual bonus may have been 
merited in a year heavily impacted by 
Covid. Such an approach could perhaps 
have balanced the concerns of our 
shareholders with the many positive 
aspects of our performance in 2020, 
including the increase in dividends 
supported by strong cash generation, and 
the many steps taken to position the 
Company for long-term growth with no 
pay cuts or redundancies. In addition, in 
2020 we undertook many initiatives to 
support local communities in Peru, 
including supporting remote learning for 
students and giving support to local 
healthcare providers.

We were pleased that our new three-year 
forward-looking Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy was approved by over 87% of 
shareholder votes cast on this resolution 
at our 2021 AGM and in this Directors’ 
Remuneration Report we detail how the 
Company has performed against the 
revised policy in its first year of operation.

Pay and performance in 2021
As noted earlier in the Strategic Report 
section of our Annual Report, 2021 was a 
year of resilient performance for 
Hochschild. The Remuneration Committee 
particularly noted the following positive 
aspects of our performance:

 – Production and AISC in line with 

forecasts;

 – Achieving the positive outcome for 

shareholders of the Aclara demerger;

 – A continuing rigorous focus on both 

health and safety and our environmental 
performance with meaningful 
improvement over the course of the year.

We also maintained our focus on wider 
employee pay matters:

	• We are proud that in 2021 we did not 
make any redundancies and neither 
did we participate in any governmental 
support schemes; and

	• We have 900 participants in our 

annual bonus plan. In a year where 
they have performed admirably in the 
most trying of circumstances and have 
worked to protect and enhance the 
value of our shareholders’ assets, we 
are delighted that they have shared in 
a 2021 bonus that, we feel, 
demonstrates the integrity of pay at 
Hochschild to our colleagues.

Turning to safety, I feel that I must first 
acknowledge that as a Board, we were all 
deeply affected by the unprecedented 
tragic traffic accident in June 2021 
involving a bus operated by one of the 
Company’s contractors. 

It is also regrettable that, during the year 
there were two fatal accidents within our 
mining operations. Every such event is 
followed by a thorough investigation led by 
a deep concern for colleague welfare. 
Further details of these incidents can be 
found in the Sustainability Report from 
page 50. 

From a Remuneration Committee 
perspective, we consider such matters 
both at a detailed level and also at a 
broader reputational level, so that any 
concerns can be reflected in our broader 
overview of in-year performance in the 
round before any incentive pay outcomes 
are confirmed.

In conclusion, we have used a discretionary 
override to reduce to nil the safety element 
of the 2021 annual bonus scorecard due to 
the loss of life during the year at our 
operations. As a Board, we consider that 
not to acknowledge these fatal accidents in 
our incentive pay outcomes would be 
misaligned with the values which we hold 
and which we believe our investors would 
expect to see demonstrated. 

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
present the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report for the year ending 31 December 
2021 which is split into two sections: this 
Annual Statement and the Annual Report 
on Remuneration. 

Our 2021 AGM
As a first item, I would like to reassure all 
of our shareholders that the Remuneration 
Committee was disappointed that the 
advisory vote to approve our 2020 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (‘DRR’) 
was approved by only 67% of shareholder 
votes cast on this resolution at our 2021 
AGM. We regard this as a serious matter 
and accordingly we initiated an ‘open 
agenda’ listening exercise with our 15 
largest shareholders (and not only those 
who voted against our 2020 DRR) and with 
the leading proxy advisory firms to better 
understand their views on remuneration 
at Hochschild.

We have received some positive feedback 
(both general and specific) and we also 
consider the points of constructive advice 
that we have been given as valuable 
guidance should we be faced in the future 
with similar points of decision to those we 
faced in late 2020 and early 2021.

Format of the report and matters to be 
approved at our 2022 AGM
At the 2022 AGM, shareholders will be 
asked to approve the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report; this will be the 
normal annual advisory vote on the report. 
I hope that you find this report to be 
informative and that our shareholders 
remain supportive of our approach to 
executive pay at Hochschild and vote in 
favour of the resolution.

As in past years, I would like to assure all 
our shareholders that the Committee 
welcomes all input on remuneration 
matters, and if you have any comments or 
questions on any element of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, please do not 
hesitate to contact me at 
info@hocplc.com.

We are grateful for the guidance and 
support which we have received from our 
shareholders on remuneration matters in 
the last year. 

Michael Rawlinson 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

The Committee exercised what it 
regards as normal commercial judgement 
in respect of Directors’ remuneration 
throughout the year (and in all cases 
in line with the Company’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy) including in 
relation to:

 – setting performance metrics for normal 
course annual bonuses and LTIPs in the 
year; and

 – confirming the outcome of performance 
metrics for annual bonuses and LTIPs in 
the year.

There were no other exercises of 
judgement or discretion by the Committee 
save as detailed in this report.

Operation of our Remuneration Policy 
in 2022
As I noted earlier in this Annual Statement, 
our shareholders gave a high level of 
support to our Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy at our 2021 AGM, and our intention 
is to continue to operate our Remuneration 
Policy in 2022 in a way that is closely 
aligned with how our policy was 
applied in 2021.

Our 2022 annual bonus will again operate 
using a scorecard that considers 
operational, financial, strategic and 
ESG-related metrics and that we believe 
promotes appropriate balance, having 
both the capacity to reward very good 
in-year performance and a range of 
matters that will position the Company 
well in the longer term. In addition, going 
forward, we will be operating a safety 
underpin to the annual bonus so that in 
the event of a fatality during a year, we will 
operate a discretionary override to reduce, 
to nil, the element of the bonus that relates 
to safety. 

We will also make our second round of LTIP 
awards using our revised LTIP 
performance conditions, which 
encompass relative TSR, growth in 
measured and indicated resources and 
consistent operational and strategic 
performance.

 104  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 105  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

This report has been prepared according to the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’), Regulation 11 and Schedule 
8 of the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2018 (as amended), and other 
relevant requirements of the FCA Listing Rules. In addition, the Board has applied the principles of good corporate governance 
set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code, and has considered the guidelines issued by its leading shareholders and bodies 
such as ISS (Institutional Shareholder Services), Glass Lewis and the Investment Association.

2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
The main aspects of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy for Executive and Non-Executive Directors for the three-year period 
expiring at the Company’s 2024 Annual General Meeting, and which was approved by shareholders at the 2021 Annual General 
Meeting, can be found in the appendix to this report.

Annual Report on Remuneration

The following section provides details of how Hochschild’s approved 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy was implemented during the 
financial year ending 31 December 2021, and how the Remuneration Committee intends to implement the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy in 2022. Any information contained in this section of the report that is subject to audit has been marked as such.

Remuneration Committee membership
The Remuneration Committee was chaired during the year under review by Michael Rawlinson, and its other members were Eileen 
Kamerick and Jill Gardiner. The Remuneration Committee has comprised, at all times, only Independent Non-Executive Directors. 
The composition of the Remuneration Committee and its terms of reference comply with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the terms of reference are available for inspection on the Company’s website at www.hochschildmining.com.

Members of senior management attend meetings at the invitation of the Committee. During the year, such members included the 
Chairman, the CEO and the Vice President of Human Resources. No Director or senior executive is present when his or her own 
remuneration arrangements are considered by the Committee. The Company Secretary acts as Secretary to the Committee.

The Committee’s terms of reference
The duties of the Remuneration Committee are to determine and agree with the Board the broad policy for the remuneration of the 
Executive Directors, the other members of senior management and the Company Secretary, as well as their specific remuneration 
packages including pension rights and, where applicable, any compensation payments. In determining such policy, the 
Remuneration Committee shall take into account all factors which it deems necessary to ensure that members of the senior 
executive management of the Group are provided with appropriate incentives to encourage strong performance, and are rewarded 
in a fair and responsible manner for their individual contributions to the success of the Group.

The Remuneration Committee met four times during the year and attendance was as detailed below:

2021 Meeting attendance

Members

Michael Rawlinson, Non-Executive Director (Chair)

Jill Gardiner, Non-Executive Director

Eileen Kamerick, Non-Executive Director

The Committee undertook the following items of business:

2020 Remuneration and reporting

Independent

Yes

Yes

Yes

Maximum 
possible
attendance

4

4

4

Actual
attendance

4

4

4

 – Reviewed and approved incentive outcomes for 2020 (2020 annual bonus and vesting of 2018 LTIP awards); 

 – Considered and approved the 2020 Directors’ Remuneration Report; 

2021 Remuneration

 – Reviewed the CEO’s total remuneration, including salary for 2021 (which remained unchanged from the level set in 2016); 

 – Considered and approved the CEO’s 2021 objectives; 

 – Approved the opportunity/award level and performance targets for 2021 annual bonus and LTIP awards;

Policy and keeping informed

 – Settled the terms of the 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy for approval by shareholders at the 2021 AGM;

 – Engaged with major shareholders in advance of the 2021 AGM regarding the revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy;

 – Considered feedback from shareholders regarding both the revised 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy and action taken in 

relation to 2020 incentive pay outcomes;

 – Initiated a wider governance consultation with shareholders following the 2021 AGM, reflecting feedback received; 

 – Considered the engagement of FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP as the new Committee adviser (further details of which are 

provided below);

 – Considered market trends in executive remuneration and key themes for 2022.

Advisers
During the year, in order to enable the Committee to reach informed decisions on executive remuneration, advice on market data and 
trends was obtained from independent consultants Ellason LLP and, from October 2021, FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP (‘FIT’). 

Both firms reported directly to the Committee Chair in 2021, and are signatories to and abide by the Code of Conduct for 
Remuneration Consultants (which can be found at www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com). Other than advice on remuneration, 
no other services were provided by Ellason LLP or by FIT to the Company. The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided by 
both firms in 2021 was independent and objective.

The fees paid to Ellason LLP in respect of work carried out in 2021 (based on time and materials) totalled £19,171, excluding 
expenses and VAT.

FIT was appointed as the independent adviser to the Remuneration Committee following a competitive tender process. The fees 
paid to FIT in respect of work carried out in 2021 were £17,895, excluding expenses and VAT, and were charged on the basis of FIT’s 
standard terms of business for advice provided.

Summary of shareholder voting
The table below shows the results of the advisory vote on the 2020 Annual Report on Remuneration and of the binding vote on the 
2021 Remuneration Policy at the 2021 AGM:

For (including discretionary)

Against

Total votes cast (excluding withheld votes)

Votes withheld

2021 Remuneration  
Policy

2020 Annual Report  
on Remuneration

Total number  
of votes

359,539,286

60,498,907

420,038,193

34,381

% of votes cast

 85.60%

14.40%

Total number  
of votes

282,820,516

136,328,236

 419,148,752

923,822

% of votes cast

67.47%

32.53%

Note: Votes withheld are not included in the final proxy figures as they are not recognised as votes in law.

The Committee is committed to listening to and engaging with the views of our shareholders and takes an interest in voting 
outcomes. The Committee will continue to be transparent in our remuneration decision-making and to engage with our 
shareholders on remuneration matters. More details regarding the engagement activities undertaken with shareholders in the year 
are set out in the Committee Chair’s Annual Statement that introduces this report.

Subsequent to the year-end, the Committee received and considered a report summarising the base salaries, benefits and 
incentives received by each category of Group staff and summarising the bonus potential and performance metrics used in each of 
the annual bonus schemes in operation across the Group. In addition, the Committee ensures that it remains informed regarding 
mandatory profit sharing for Peru-based employees.

The Company undertakes varied forms of engagement with employees. In 2021, this primarily took the form of workshops to discuss 
the Group’s cultural attributes, frequent and periodic meetings held by mine management with mine-site employees as well as 
regular engagement with workers’ appointed representatives regarding many aspects of the business. This process provides an 
opportunity for feedback on Executive Directors’ pay to be given and explanations to be shared, although most of the engagement 
process is focused on wider employee welfare; a report on any material feedback regarding remuneration is received by the 
Remuneration Committee.

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors (audited)
The table below sets out a single figure for the total remuneration received by Ignacio Bustamante, the only Executive Director, for 
the year ended 31 December 2021 and the prior year:

Base salary1

Taxable benefits2

Total fixed

Single-year variable3

Multi-year variable4

Profit share5

Total variable

Compensation for Time Service (‘CTS’)6

Tax refunds7

Total remuneration

All figures are rounded to the nearest $000 

2021
(US$000)

2020
(US$000)

700

27

727

989

0

172

1,161

100

7

1,996

700

30

730

945

0

151

1,096

98

9

1,933

Notes for 2021 values:
1  Figures disclosed include certain statutory payments accounted for internally within base salary (‘Statutory Supplements’) as follows: 2021: $300; 2020: $300
2  Taxable benefits include: company car (2021: $20k; 2020: $21k) and medical insurance.
3  Payment for performance during the year under the Annual Bonus Plan. See following sections for further details.
4  2021 Multi-year variable value is nil as the 2019 LTIP did not vest based on performance to 31 December 2021.
5  All-employee profit share mandated by Peruvian law.
6   CTS is a legal entitlement for employees in Peru which provides for a fund in the event of termination of employment. CTS in respect of base salary is calculated as one month’s 
wages and is deposited biannually in an employee’s interest-accruing bank account and prior to the end of employment, employees can gain access to the deposited amount 
to the extent it exceeds four months’ wages. CTS in respect of other forms of remuneration such as incentive payouts, that are considered to be ‘non-extraordinary’, is currently 
calculated at a rate of 1/24th. For 2021 CTS comprises: CTS on base salary ($58k) and on bonus ($41k) (difference due to rounding). 2020 CTS comprises: CTS on base salary ($58k) 
and on bonus ($39k).

7  Refunds payable in relation to social security following a change in regulations.

Single total figure of remuneration for Non-Executive Directors (audited)
The table below sets out a single figure for the total remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2021 and the prior year received 
by each Non-Executive Director serving during the year:

Eduardo Hochschild1

Dr Graham Birch

Jorge Born Jr

Jill Gardiner3

Eileen Kamerick

Tracey Kerr4

Michael Rawlinson

Dionisio Romero

Sanjay Sarma5

Base fee
(US$000)

2021

400

96

96

96

96

6

96

96

91

2020

400

89

89

383

89

n/a

89

89

89

Additional fees
(US$000)

Taxable benefits
(US$000)

Total
(US$000)

2021

2020

0

19

0

0

19

0

38

0

0

0

32

0

0

18

n/a

36

0

0

2021

776

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2020

665

0

0

0

0

n/a

0

0

0

2021

1,176

115

96

96

115

6

135

96

91

2020

1,065

92

89

38

107

n/a

125

89

89

All figures are rounded to the nearest $000

Notes:
1 

 Eduardo Hochschild was an Executive Director until 31 December 2014 and, as reported in the 2015 report, Eduardo Hochschild retained eligibility to receive benefits following his 
transition to the Non-Executive Chairman role comprising personal security, medical insurance and use of a company car and driver.

2.   To align the position with that of the other Committees, the Board approved the payment of the additional fee to Mr Birch as Chair of the Sustainability Committee from 1 November 

2020.

3.  Jill Gardiner was appointed to the Board on 1 August 2020.
4.  Tracey Kerr was appointed to the Board on 10 December 2021.
5.  Sanjay Sarma stepped down from the Board on 10 December 2021.

Salary and fees for the year ended 31 December 2021 
Executive Director
The Committee reviewed the CEO’s salary in 2021 and determined that there would be no increase.

Executive Director

Ignacio Bustamante

Base salary from 
1 March 2020 (US$000)

Base salary from 
1 March 2019 (US$000)

700

700

% change

–

Base salary above excludes CTS. Ignacio Bustamante’s salary is denominated in US dollars.

Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors’ fees have been set at a level to reflect the amount of time and level of involvement required in order 
to carry out their duties as members of the Board and its Committees. The annual rates of fees payable to the Non-Executive 
Directors of the Company in 2020 and 2021 are set out in the table below. All Non-Executive Directors receive a base fee, and 
additional fees are paid for acting as Chair of one of the Board Committees and as Senior Independent Director. No change was 
made to these fees in 2021.

Fee level from 
1 March 2021 (US$000)

Fee level from 
1 March 2020 (US$000)

% change

Non-Executive Chairman’s fee

Non-Executive Director base fee

Additional fees

Senior Independent Director

Chair of the Audit Committee

Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Chair of the Sustainability Committee

US$400,000

£70,000

£14,000

£14,000

£14,000

£14,000

US$400,000

£70,000

£14,000

£14,000

£14,000

£14,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Incentive outcomes for the year ended 31 December 2021 (audited)
Annual bonus in respect of 2021 performance
Objectives for the 2021 bonus were set by the Committee at the beginning of the year and assessment of performance during the 
year was undertaken at the February 2022 Committee meeting.

Details of the bonus paid to the CEO for 2021, including the specific performance metrics, weightings and performance against 
each of the metrics, are provided in the table below:

Objective

KPI

Profitable production 
and financial results

Production (Oz Ag Eq)

Adjusted EBITDA1

Targets

2021 Assessment

Target 
weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

2021 result

Final bonus 
score/ 
(Maximum)

18%

29m

30m

31.2m

31.2m

18% (18%)

13.5%

US$290m

US$310m

US$332m

US$332.3m 13.5% (13.5%)

AISC from operations with growth2

13.5% US$15.1/oz

US$14.7/oz

US$14.3/oz

US$14.0/oz 13.5% (13.5%)

Strategic advancement

Penco Rare Earths project

Brownfield exploration Inferred resources (subject to permits 

Safety and 
environmental 
awareness

available) (Oz Ag Eq)

Accident frequency rate (LTIFR)

Accident Severity Index

ECO Score4

Bonus payable (as a percentage of maximum opportunity)

10%

5%

10%

13%

8.5%

8.5%

Remco Assessment

Remco Assessment

Full Vesting

10% (10%)

Full Vesting

5% (5%)

40m 

3.00

540

60m 

2.50

450

80m

2.00

300

4.55 – 4.74

4.75 – 4.99 

>= 5.00

83.2m

10% (10%)

1.30

676

5.29

Nil3 (13%)

Nil (8.5%)

8.5% (8.5%)

78.5%

Notes:
1 

 Adjusted EBITDA is used for the annual bonus and is determined based on EBITDA adjusted primarily to neutralise price effects and other unbudgeted expenditure including 
additional personnel costs in Argentina ($8.3million) and costs related to Business Development ($2.2million) 

2   All-in sustaining cost is adjusted to ensure comparability with the objective set at the beginning of the year and therefore disregards unbudgeted expenditure including Statutory 

Workers’ Profit Sharing ($0.1/oz), exploration costs ($0.2/oz) and additional infill drilling ($0.2/oz) 

3  The Remuneration Committee exercised its discretion to reduce, to nil, all safety elements of the annual bonus. See Safety section below for further details.
4   Refer to www.hochschildmining.com for further details on the methodology of calculating the Group’s ECO Score (the internally designed measurement of the Company’s 

environmental performance)

General approach
The determination of the bonus payout is at the discretion of the Committee, taking into account performance during the year 
against the above scorecard. Each objective in the scorecard has a ‘threshold’, ‘target’ and ‘maximum’ performance target, 
achievement of which translates into a score for each objective. The bonus scores for each objective are summed which translates 
into a percentage which is applied to the maximum bonus opportunity. 

Adjustments were made in line with the Company’s usual practice to maintain the quality of earnings by primarily disregarding the 
impact of factors outside of management’s control such as the price of silver and gold (as compared to budgeted prices).

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Assessing performance against 2021 bonus objectives 
In arriving at the above bonus scorecard, the Committee paid particular attention to the following aspects of the 
Company’s performance:

 – Safety

As part of the Committee’s engagement with investors, both before and subsequent to the 2021 AGM, it became clear that 
attitudes towards corporate safety performance in general had evolved. The Committee has always been mindful that 
remuneration decisions should reflect Hochschild’s corporate values and therefore, in relation to safety, has sought to incentivise 
operational safety performance as well as the ongoing efforts of embedding a safety-first culture.

The Committee has reflected on the views of investors and decided that in light of the loss of life during 2021 as a result of the two 
accidents at the Group’s operations, the Committee exercised its discretion to reduce, to nil, the safety component of the annual 
bonus. The Committee and, indeed, the full Board, considered the detailed findings of the investigations carried out following each 
of these incidents and although no corporate failings were identified, the use of the Committee’s discretionary override was felt to 
be wholly appropriate. Please refer to the Sustainability Report on pages 59 and 60 for further information on the steps taken by 
the Company to mitigate the recurrence of similar accidents.

 – Strategic advancement

In evaluating performance against this objective, the Committee considered a range of actions taken to position the Company for 
long-term and sustainable growth to benefit our shareholders, comprising:

	• the exercise of the option to start earning-in a 60% interest in the Snip project following the successful drilling campaign by 

Hochschild’s partner and owner of the project, Skeena Resources. In addition, the Committee’s assessment reflects the promising 
preliminary maiden resource demonstrating its value-enhancing potential;

	• the demerger of Aclara Resources Inc (formerly known as Biolantanidos, the owner of the Penco Rare Earths project) which was 
completed in December 2021 and which realised value of approximately US$40million for the Company’s shareholders. The 
Committee took note of (a) the successful listing of the company on the Toronto Stock Exchange within the pricing range approved 
by the Hochschild Board and (b) the fact that the targeted amount of equity capital was raised. In the limited time since completion 
of the IPO in mid-December 2021, Aclara’s share price performance has been largely influenced by the number of Hochschild 
Mining shareholders required to sell their position as well as the general market weakness for junior companies with pre-production 
assets. Overall, however, the Committee believes the transaction to have strong potential to be value accretive for Hochschild 
shareholders given the strength and quality of the institutions who invested at or subsequent to the IPO;

	• the thorough process leading to the identification of an opportunity to enhance resources within appropriate cost and risk 

parameters resulting in the acquisition of Amarillo Gold Corporation which, subject to completion in Q1 2022, would result in the 
addition of the low-cost Posse gold project to the Group’s asset portfolio with its relatively near-term production and strong 
exploration potential; and

	• commissioning a technical review of the resources at the Group’s Volcan project and appointing a project CEO who will lead a review 

of strategic options for the project.

 – Penco Rare Earths project

The Committee considered the notable developments achieved during 2021 with respect to the project itself, including:

	• the completion of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’) with enhanced resource quality and a more robust process design. 
It was noted that the PEA ascribed a valuation to the project of US$178million which compared to the c.US$80million invested by 
Hochschild; and

	• successful amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment which significantly improved the project’s 

environmental credentials.

 – ECO Score

The overall ECO Score for the year is 5.29 against a stretch target of 5.0. This internally designed award-winning measure of 
environmental management demonstrates the following (as more fully detailed in our Sustainability Report):

	• our lowest water consumption since 2015;
	• the lowest amount of waste generation since 2015 (1kg/person/day);
	• the highest level of compliance with the behaviours expected from our environmental culture plan (using an internal scoring system).

The Committee also took into account the experience of the Group’s stakeholders during the year, noting:

 – the performance of the Company’s share price which, in 2021, was primarily impacted by political events in Peru and in particular:

	• the political uncertainty caused by the contested Presidential elections; and
	• the actions of the Peruvian Prime Minister in November 2021 resulting in the declaration of a number of measures including the 

closure of two of the Company’s mines which was subsequently clarified. 

By contrast, the Committee noted the strong level of cash generation demonstrated by the interim dividend and the in- specie 
dividend of shares in Aclara Resources;

 – that there have been no compulsory job losses and every employee and contractor received full pay throughout the year without 

any material delays;

 – the Group has not made use of any government-sponsored schemes or grants in any of the countries in which it operates; 

 – the Company’s ongoing programme of initiatives to assist the communities and other local stakeholders who, notably in 2021, 

expressed their support for the Company in response to the actions of the Prime Minister referred to above; and

 – the continued strong performance in environmental management and the unprecedented number of reporting initiatives 

undertaken in 2021 reinforcing our commitment to transparency. For further details see the Sustainability Report on page 56.

In conclusion the Committee agreed that the CEO be awarded a bonus of 78.5% of the maximum opportunity, which equates to 
c.141% of salary.

2019 LTIP vesting
On 20 February 2019, Ignacio Bustamante was granted an award under the LTIP with a face value of US$1,400,000. Vesting was 
dependent on three-year relative TSR performance against both a tailored peer group (70% of the total award) and the 
constituents of the FTSE 350 Mining Index (30% of the total award). There was no retesting of performance. Further details of the 
performance conditions are shown in the table below.

Performance measure

Relative TSR1 performance vs. tailored peer group2

Weighting

70%

Performance targets

Upper quintile (80th percentile): full vesting

Upper tercile (67th percentile): 75% vesting

Median (50th percentile): 25% vesting

Straight-line vesting between these points

Relative TSR performance vs. constituents of the  
FTSE 350 Mining Index3

30%

Median TSR +10% p.a.: full vesting

Median TSR: 25% vesting

Straight-line vesting between these points

Notes:
1  TSR is calculated in common currency.
2   The 2019 LTIP peer group, at the time of the granting of the award, comprised: Agnico-Eagle Mines, Alamos Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Gold, Centamin Egypt, Cia des Minas 
Buenaventura, Coeur Mining, Eldorado Gold, Endeavour Silver, First Majestic Silver, Fortuna Silver Mines, Fresnillo, Gold Fields, , Hecla Mining, IAMGOLD, Kinross Gold, Newmont 
Mining, Pan American Silver, Petropavlovsk, Polymetal, Silver Standard Resources, and Volcan Compania Minera.

3  As at the start of the performance period.

The Remuneration Committee considered corporate activity affecting the 2019 LTIP peer group and the constituents of the 
FTSE 350 Mining Index and concluded that the Company’s TSR over the performance period between 1 January 2019 and 
31 December 2021 ranked 17th percentile vs. the tailored peer group and underperformed the median of the constituents of 
the FTSE 350 Mining and Precious Metals Index by 76% per annum. Accordingly, the award will lapse in full.

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Scheme interests awarded in 2021 (audited)
On 27 May 2021, Ignacio Bustamante was granted a cash-settled award under the LTIP with a face value of $1,400,000.

Vesting is dependent on three-year relative TSR from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023, with 50% of the award based on 
TSR performance against a tailored peer group and 50% based on internal KPIs as summarised in the table below.

Awards vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to continued employment, and are subject to potential malus if, 
before vesting, the Committee determines either that (i) the overall underlying business performance of the Company is not 
satisfactory, (ii) an act or failure to act, which is attributable (directly or indirectly) to an award-holder has resulted in, among other 
things, an adverse event related to health and safety, the environment or community relations, or (iii) on the occurrence of certain 
trigger events including material misstatement, material failure of risk management, action or omission resulting in serious 
reputational damage. Due to legal difficulties arising from its enforcement in Peru, the Remuneration Committee is unable to 
operate clawback and hence the Group’s malus policy was clarified as referred to above. After payment of tax, all of the vested 
cash award will be required to be invested in Hochschild shares which will be held for a further period of two years. Dividends, if any, 
will accrue to shares during the holding period. Further details, including vesting schedules, are provided in the table below:

Executive Director

Grant date

Ignacio Bustamante

27 May 2021

Performance period

1 January 2021 to 31 
December 2023

Performance measure

Weighting

Performance targets

Face value of 
award at grant

Award value for  
threshold performance

$1,400,000

$350,000

TSR

Relative TSR1 performance  
vs. tailored peer group2

50%

Internal KPIs

Measured & Indicated Resources 
(‘M&IR’) per share3 – absolute % 
growth over three-year 
performance period 2021-2023

25%

Consistency Performance 
Condition

25%

Upper quintile (80th percentile): full vesting

Upper tercile (67th percentile): 75% vesting 

Median (50th percentile): 25% vesting 

Straight-line vesting between these points

49.06% growth in M&IR per share – full vesting

47.26% growth in M&IR per share – 75% vesting

35.44% growth in M&IR per share – 25% vesting

Straight-line vesting between these points

Average bonus scorecard outcome 2021-2023 with threshold vesting of 25% requiring an 
average achievement of 60% scorecard attainment with straight-line vesting up to full 
vesting requiring an average of 100% scorecard attainment. There is an overriding 
underpin whereby if the annual scorecard achievement is less than 60% in any one year, 
then the vesting of this LTIP component will be nil. 

Notes:
1  TSR is calculated on the basis of common currency.
2   The 2021 LTIP peer group, at the date of grant, comprised: Agnico-Eagle Mines, Alamos Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Gold Corp, Centamin, Cia des Minas Buenaventura, Coeur 

Mining, Endeavour Silver Corp, Eldorado Gold Corp, First Majestic Silver Corp, Fortuna Silver Mines, Fresnillo, Gold Fields, Hecla Mining, IAMGOLD, Kinross Gold, Kirkland Lake, 
Newmont Mining, OceanaGold Corp, Pan American Silver, Petropavlovsk, Polymetal and SSR Mining.

3   M&IR per share means the Company’s Measured and Indicated Resources excluding Volcan as at 31 December 2020 (338.6 Ag Eq Moz) subject to such adjustments as the 

Committee considers appropriate in its absolute discretion divided by the Company’s issued share capital. % growth figures are based on the addition of 180 Ag Eq Moz (full 
vesting), 160 Ag Eq Moz (75% vesting), and 120 Ag Eq Moz (25% vesting).

Exit payments made in the year (audited)
No exit payments were made to Directors in the year.

Payments to past Directors (audited)
No payments were made to past Directors in the year.

Implementation of Remuneration Policy for 2022
A summary of how the 2021 Remuneration Policy will be applied for the year ended 31 December 2022 is provided below.

Salary
The Committee reviewed the CEO’s salary and has determined that it will remain unchanged at $700,000 (excluding CTS). 

Annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus opportunity for the CEO for the 2022 financial year will be 180% of salary. The bonus payment will 
be subject to performance against broadly the same measures as those used in 2021. However, we intend to rebalance our 
Corporate Social Responsibility scorecard weightings and introduce a measure which recognises the importance to our business’ 
sustainability of our social contribution initiatives within the local communities where we operate. That these activities are 
important was strongly demonstrated by the support shown by those communities when the Peruvian Government questioned 
our licence to operate in 2021. Further disclosure of measures and targets, where not commercially sensitive, will be provided in 
next year’s Annual Report on Remuneration. In line with the Remuneration Policy, payout for ‘threshold’ and ‘target’ performance 
will be 30% and 50% of the maximum opportunity, respectively.

As in 2021, the Committee will assess performance against the objectives set and calculate an overall bonus score which will be 
applied to the maximum bonus opportunity. The bonus will be subject to malus provisions in line with the Remuneration Policy and, 
in line with the approach taken with respect to the 2021 bonus, a discretionary override will be applied such that the occurrence of 
any fatality during the year at the Group’s operations will result in the reduction, to nil, of the safety-related objectives.

Any bonus earned above 150% of salary will be paid in shares and deferred for two years.

LTIP
The Committee will make awards in 2022 at levels up to 200% of base salary. Vesting will be based on the same performance 
conditions as those set for the 2021 LTIP awards.

Vested LTIP awards will be invested (on a post-tax basis) in the Company’s shares which are required to be held for a further 
two years.

The performance conditions are:

 – Relative TSR performance vs. tailored peer group (50% weighting: same median to upper quintile range as for 2021 awards)

 – Measured & Indicated Resources (‘M&IR’) per share (25% weighting: growth over three-year performance period 2022-2024, 

reflecting the same absolute growth targets as for 2021 awards)

 – Consistency Performance Condition (25% weighting: measured as for 2021 LTIP awards)

Malus provisions will apply to LTIP awards granted in 2022 in line with the Remuneration Policy. 

Non-Executive fees
From 1 March 2022, Non-Executive Directors will, in addition to their base fee, be paid an additional fee of £5,000 per year for every 
main Board Committee that they serve on with the exception of the Nomination Committee. There will be no change to the 
supplementary fee payable to the Chairs of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. 

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual percentage change in Directors’ remuneration
The table below shows the percentage change in Board Directors’ remuneration in 2020 and 2021 compared with the percentage 
change in remuneration for all other employees. 

2021

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

Average all employees4

2020

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

Average all employees4

Ignacio Bustamante

Eduardo Hochschild

Dr Graham Birch

Jorge Born Jr

Jill Gardiner

Eileen Kamerick

Michael Rawlinson

Dionisio Romero

Sanjay Sarma5

Ignacio Bustamante

Eduardo Hochschild

Dr Graham Birch

Jorge Born Jr

Jill Gardiner

Eileen Kamerick

Michael Rawlinson

Dionisio Romero

Sanjay Sarma5

Base salary1/ fees

Taxable benefits2

Single-year variable3

% change

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

6.2%

–10%

17%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

5.7%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

0.8%

% change

Base salary1/ fees

Taxable benefits2

Single-year variable3

0%

0%

0%

0%

n/a

0%

0%

0%

0%

5.8%

4.5%

–5.3%

2%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

3.8%

Notes:
1  Base salary only (i.e. excluding Statutory Supplements – see footnote 1 to table on single figure of total remuneration for Executive Directors on page 108).
2   Taxable benefits comprise (a) for Ignacio Bustamante, a company car and medical insurance and (b) for Eduardo Hochschild, the use of a car and driver, personal security and 

medical insurance. See footnote 2 to table on single figure of total remuneration for Executive Directors on page 108).

3   Single-year variable comprises (a) bonus (calculated with reference to base salary only, i.e. before CTS and tax rebates) and (b) estimate of statutory profit-share due to the 

unavailability of final data as at the date of this report.

4  ‘All employees’ comprise full-time salaried employees in Peru.
5  Sanjay Sarma resigned from the Board on 10 December 2021.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below shows the percentage change in total employee pay expenditure and shareholder distributions (i.e. dividends) from 
the financial year ended 31 December 2020 to the financial year ended 31 December 2021.

Distribution to shareholders (US$000)1

Employee remuneration (US$000)

2021

22,0002 

2020

32,6002

% change

-32.5%3

2021

161,170 

2020

141,700

% change

13.7%

Notes:
1  Comprises all cash dividends paid in respect of each year (including the proposed 2021 final dividend).
2   2020 figure includes the interim dividend of US$20.6 million, a portion of which relates to the 2019 final dividend of US$12 million which was withdrawn due to the uncertainty caused 

by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

3  See footnote 2 above.

The Directors are recommending the payment of a final dividend of US$12 million for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Pay for performance
The following graph shows the TSR for the Company compared to the FTSE 350 Precious Metals and Mining Index and FTSE 250 
Index, assuming £100 was invested on 31 December 2011. The Board considers that the FTSE 350 Precious Metals and Mining 
Index is an appropriate published index as it reflects the sector that Hochschild operates in, and the FTSE 250 Index provides a view 
of performance against a broad equity market index of which Hochschild has been a constituent for the majority of the past 10 
years. The table below details the CEO’s single figure remuneration and actual variable pay outcomes over the same period.

Historical TSR performance
Growth in the value of a hypothetical £100 holding over the 10 years to 31 December 2021

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Hochschild Mining PLC 

FTSE250

FTSE 350 Precious Metals and Mining Index

CEO

CEO single figure 
of remuneration ($000)

Annual bonus outcome 
(% of maximum)

2012

1,852

2013

999

2014

924

2015

1,328

Ignacio  
Bustamante

2016

3,474

2017

 4,519

2018

4,174

2019

3,665

2020

1,933

2021

1,996

90%

81%

67%

67%

83%

83%

90%

95%

90%

78.5%

LTI vesting outcome  
(% of maximum)

98%  
(LTIP)

0%

0%

0%

0%  
(ELTIP) 
90%  
(LTIP)

86%  
(ELTIP) 
100%  
(LTIP)

43%  
(ELTIP) 
100%  
(LTIP)

34%  
(ELTIP) 
0%  
(LTIP)

0%  
(LTIP)

0%  
(LTIP)

 114  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 115  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Directors’ interests (audited)
The interests of the Directors and their families in the ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2021 are detailed in the 
table below.

The Company has adopted shareholding guidelines whereby all Executive Directors (currently only the CEO) are required to acquire 
and retain a beneficial shareholding in the Company equal to at least 250% of base salary (the ‘Shareholding Requirement’). The 
CEO is required to invest the entire amount of a vested LTIP for two years (on a net basis) regardless of his achievement of the 
shareholding guideline. The Shareholding Requirement will apply for the first year post-termination with respect to vested LTIP 
awards granted from 2021 which will reduce thereafter by 50% with respect to the second year.

Appendix – Directors’ Remuneration Policy (unaudited)

This Appendix sets out the main aspects of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy as approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 
2021 Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) on 27 May 2021. This section is provided for information and does not form part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report which will be voted on by shareholders at the Company’s 2022 AGM. The full 2021 Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy can be found in the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts available on the Company’s website at www.
hochschildmining.com

The Policy applies to Directors’ remuneration at the Company for a period of up to three years from the 2021 AGM, unless amended 
by the Company’s shareholders at a general meeting.

Introduction to the Policy
The principal objectives of the Remuneration Policy are to:

Owned 
outright or 
vested at 
31 Dec 2020 
(or date of 
appointment 
if later)

Shares held

Owned 
outright or 
vested at 
31 Dec 2021 
(or date of 
retirement if 
earlier)

Vested but 
subject to 
holding period

Unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions

Unvested and 
subject to 
deferral only

Shareholding 
requirement 
(% of salary)

Current 
shareholding 
(% of salary)

Requirement 
met?

 – attract, retain, and motivate the Group’s executives and senior management;

 – provide management incentives that align with and support the Group’s business strategy; and

 – align management incentives with the creation of shareholder value.

Ignacio Bustamante

Eduardo Hochschild

Dr Graham Birch

Jorge Born Jr

Jill Gardiner

Eileen Kamerick

Tracey Kerr

Michael Rawlinson

Dionisio Romero

Sanjay Sarma

1,791,570

1,214,115

0

0

0

250%

305%1

Yes

196,900,306

196,900,306

33,750

33,750

0

0

0

0

0

0

15,000

0

0

0

0

0

55,169

15,000

Notes:
1  Using the Company’s closing share price and GBP/USD exchange rate as at 31 December 2021 (being the last trading day of the year) of £1.301 and £1:$1.35 respectively
2  As at 10 December 2021, being the date of Tracey Kerr’s appointment
3  As at 10 December 2021, being the date on which Sanjay Sarma stepped down from the Board

There have been no changes to Directors’ shareholdings since 31 December 2021.

Directors’ interests in share options, shares and cash awards in Hochschild long-term incentive plans 
Details of Directors’ interests in shares and cash awards under Hochschild’s long-term incentive plans are set out in the table below.

Ignacio  
Bustamante

2020 LTIP

2021 LTIP

Date  
of grant

Share price 
at grant 

Exercise price 
at grant

19.02.20

27.05.21

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Number of 
shares  
awarded 

 Face value
at grant 1

Performance
period

n/a

n/a

$1.4m

$1.4m

01.01.20 – 31.12.22

01.01.21 – 31.12.23

Vesting
date

19.02.23

27.05.24

None of the Directors had an interest in the shares of any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or in any significant contracts of 
the Group.

External appointments
The table below details the fees received and retained by Ignacio Bustamante, who was the only Executive Director in office during 
2021, in respect of his external directorships.

Name of company

Profuturo AFP

Scotiabank Peru SAA

Signed on behalf of the Board

Michael Rawlinson 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee  
22 February 2022

Fee received

US$42,000

US$60,000

The Group seeks to achieve this alignment over both the short and long term through the use of an annual performance-related 
bonus, which rewards the achievement of a balanced mix of financial, operational and other relevant performance measures, and 
the use of a Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) which is linked to longer-term critical measures of financial and non-financial 
performance.

The Committee takes into consideration the remuneration arrangements for the wider employee population in making its decisions 
on remuneration for senior executives. Remuneration decisions are also driven by external considerations, in particular relating to 
the global demand for talent in the mining sector. The Committee retains discretion to make non-significant changes to the Policy 
without going back to shareholders.

The Committee is satisfied the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code relating to the design of remuneration policies and 
practices have been applied:

Clarity: we ensure pay for performance and our policy is designed to be logical and transparent

Simplicity: Executive Director remuneration comprises a minimum of components, based on a regular package including fixed pay, 
and short- and long-term variable pay

Risk: a significant proportion of the Executive Director remuneration package is delivered in long-term or deferred pay which 
ensures the longer-term impact of decisions is reflected in pay. Furthermore, the combination of in-post and post-employment 
shareholding requirements, as well as capturing several categories of performance in the variable pay elements, helps to ensure 
multiple mechanisms through which to expose senior executive pay to inadequate risk management

Predictability: variable pay is subject to the achievement of specific and transparent performance targets, and the Committee has 
the ability to apply its discretion to ensure variable pay outcomes reflect underlying corporate health

Proportionality: the Executive Director pay mix is similar to that at comparable international mining peers, and the Committee has 
the ability to apply its discretion to ensure overall pay outcomes are proportionate to the Company’s long-term performance

Alignment to culture: variable pay captures several categories of performance, including non-financial objectives such as those 
relating to safety and environmental performance, helping to ensure pay reflects multiple perspectives on performance, and not 
just financial outcomes

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Policy Table
The table below provides a summary of each element of the Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors. 

Element: Base salary  
Objective and link to strategy: To support recruitment and retention

Operation

Opportunity

Salary is reviewed annually, usually in March, or following 
a significant change in responsibilities.

To avoid setting expectations, there is no prescribed 
maximum salary.

Salary levels are targeted to be competitive and relevant to the 
global mining sector, with reference to the relative cost of living. 
The Committee also takes into consideration general pay levels 
for the wider employee population.

Executive Directors receive Compensation for Time 
Services (‘CTS’) and profit share, both of which are provided 
for by Peruvian law, as well as certain allowances which may 
include medical insurance, the use of a car and driver, and 
personal security.

In respect of existing Executive Directors, it is anticipated that 
salary increases will generally be in line with the wider employee 
population. In exceptional circumstances (including, but not 
limited to, a material increase in job size or complexity, the 
reversal of a previous salary reduction, or if a Director has not 
received an increase for a number of years), the Committee has 
discretion to make appropriate adjustments to salary levels.

CTS is a legal entitlement for employees in Peru which provides 
for a fund in the event of termination of employment. CTS in 
respect of base salary is calculated as one month’s wages and 
is deposited biannually in an employee’s interest-accruing bank 
account and prior to the end of employment, employees can 
gain access to the deposited amount to the extent it exceeds 
four months’ wages. CTS in respect of other forms of 
remuneration such as incentive payouts, that are considered to 
be ‘non-extraordinary’, is currently calculated at a rate of 1/24th.

For the profit share, an amount equal to 8% of the relevant 
Peruvian company’s taxable income for the year is distributable 
to its employees. This amount is mandated by Peruvian law, and 
any increases are not within the control of the Group. The 
amount receivable by each Executive Director is determined 
with reference to annual base salary (plus other incentive 
payouts, if any) and the number of days worked during the 
calendar year.

The value of the other benefits varies by role and individual 
circumstances; eligibility and cost are reviewed periodically.

The Committee retains the discretion to approve a higher cost 
of benefits in exceptional circumstances (for example 
relocation) or in circumstances where factors outside the 
Company’s control have changed materially (for example 
increases in insurance premiums).

Performance 
metrics

None

None

Element: Annual bonus  
Objective and link to strategy: To achieve alignment with the Group’s strategy and commitment to operating responsibly

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Performance measures, targets and weightings are set at 
the start of the year. At the end of the year, the Committee 
determines the extent to which targets have been achieved, 
taking into account individual performance.

The maximum 
annual bonus 
opportunity is 
180% of salary.

Performance is determined by the Committee by reference to 
Group financial measures as well as the achievement of personal/
strategic objectives. The personal/strategic objectives are 
typically weighted no higher than 30% of maximum.

Bonus payments of up to 150% of salary are delivered in 
cash; any bonus earned above 150% of salary is deferred in 
Hochschild shares, under the Deferred Bonus Plan, for 
two years.

Deferred bonus is subject to malus, i.e. forfeiture or reduction, 
in circumstances such as material misstatement, reputational 
damage, gross misconduct and material breach of an 
individual’s employment contract.

If deferral is applied, the Committee retains the discretion to 
allow dividends (or equivalent) to accrue over the deferral period 
in respect of the awards that vest.

For ‘threshold’ 
and ‘target’ levels 
of performance, 
the bonus earned 
is up to 30% and 
50% of maximum, 
respectively.

The Committee retains discretion to vary year-on-year the 
weightings for individual measures, to ensure alignment with the 
business priorities for the year. Performance targets are generally 
calibrated with reference to the Company’s budget for the year. 
Each objective in the scorecard has a ‘threshold’, ‘target’ and 
‘maximum’ performance target, achievement of which translates 
into a score for each objective.

The Committee uses its judgement to determine the overall 
scorecard outcome based on the achievement of the targets 
and the Committee’s broad assessment of Company and 
individual performance. A review of the quality of earnings is 
conducted by the Committee to determine whether any 
adjustments should be made to the reported profit for the 
purpose of bonus outcomes. This ensures that bonus outcomes 
are not impacted by unbudgeted non-recurring or one-off 
items, or circumstances outside of management’s control such 
as material changes in commodity prices that could distort the 
overall quality of earnings.

Malus provisions apply, i.e. the Committee has the discretion to 
reduce bonus payments on the occurrence of an adverse event 
that is attributable (directly or indirectly) to an act or failure to act 
by the executive. Such events include those related to health and 
safety, the environment or community relations. Other trigger 
events include misconduct, material misstatement, material 
failure of risk management, action or omission resulting in serious 
reputational damage, or any material breach of an individual’s 
employment contract.

Details of the measures, weightings and targets applicable for 
the financial year under review are provided in the Annual 
Report on Remuneration, unless they are considered to be 
commercially sensitive.

Element: Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)  
Objective and link to strategy: To directly incentivise sustained shareholder value creation through operational performance 
and to support the recruitment of senior positions and longer-term retention

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Awards are made annually, in the form of cash, with vesting 
subject to the attainment of specific performance conditions 
and continued employment.

Awards have a performance and vesting period of at least three 
years. Vested awards are invested in Company shares and 
normally required to be held for a further two years. Dividends, if 
any, will accrue to shares during the holding period.

Maximum annual 
award level is 
200% of salary 
(267% of salary in 
exceptional 
circumstances 
relating to the 
recruitment of an 
Executive Director). 
Threshold 
performance will 
result in vesting of 
25% of an award.

Vesting of LTIP awards is based on performance measures linked 
to the Group’s strategic priorities and may vary cycle-to-cycle.

Malus provisions apply, i.e. the Committee can reduce or prevent 
vesting if it determines either that (i) the overall underlying 
business performance of the Company is not satisfactory or (ii) an 
act or failure to act, which is attributable (directly or indirectly) to 
an award-holder has resulted in, among other things, an adverse 
event related to health and safety, the environment or community 
relations; or (iii) on the occurrence of certain trigger events 
including misconduct, material misstatement, material failure 
of risk management, action or omission resulting in serious 
reputational damage, or any material breach of an individual’s 
employment contract.

In addition to the above elements of remuneration, the Committee may consider it appropriate to grant an award under a different 
structure, but within the limits sets out in the Policy Table, in order to facilitate the recruitment of an individual, exercising the 
discretion available under Listing Rule 9.4.2R.

Shareholding requirements
Executive Directors are required to acquire and retain a beneficial shareholding in the Company equal to at least 250% of base 
salary whilst in employment. Directors’ shareholdings are reviewed to ensure compliance with the requirements. A post-employment 
shareholding requirement will apply to equity-based awards granted after the effective date of the 2021 Remuneration Policy, 
requiring Executive Directors on the termination of their employment to hold the lower of (i) their shareholding at the date of 
termination and (ii) shares equivalent to their in-post shareholding requirement for a two-year period post-employment, with the 
required shareholding level reduced to 50% of the in-post shareholding requirement after 12 months.

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Notes to the Policy Table
Payments from existing awards
Executive Directors are eligible to receive payment from any award made prior to the approval and implementation of the 
Remuneration Policy detailed in this report (such as awards made under a previous Policy, or awards made prior to appointment 
to the Board). Details of any such payments will be set out in the Annual Report on Remuneration as they arise.

Performance measurement selection and approach to target-setting
The measures used under the annual bonus are selected annually to reflect the Group’s main strategic objectives for the year and 
reflect both financial and non-financial priorities.

Performance targets are set to be stretching and achievable, taking into account the Company’s strategic priorities and the 
economic environment in which the Company operates. Targets are set taking into account a range of reference points including 
the Group’s strategic and operating plan.

The Committee considers a combination of relative TSR and internal KPIs to be the most appropriate measures of long-term 
performance for the Company and together with the annual bonus measures, provide a balance between absolute and relative 
performance, between short-term and long-term performance measures, and between external and internal measures of 
performance. TSR, in particular, aligns with the Company’s focus on shareholder value creation and rewards management for 
outperformance of sector peers, and is transparent, visible and motivational to executives.

The Committee has discretion to vary the performance condition for in-flight awards in certain circumstances to ensure they 
continue to be fair, reasonable and no more or less difficult to satisfy than originally intended. For example, in the event of corporate 
activity amongst the TSR comparator group during a performance period, the Committee may make adjustments to the 
comparator group (for example, replacing that company with the acquiring company, including a substitute for that company, 
or tracking the future performance of that company by reference to the median of the remaining comparators). Other examples 
of special circumstances include but are not limited to rights issues, corporate restructuring, and special dividends. The 
Committee will also review the appropriateness of the performance conditions prior to each LTIP grant and reserves the 
discretion to set different targets for future awards without consulting with shareholders.

Remuneration Policy for other employees
The Committee takes into consideration the remuneration arrangements for the wider employee population in making its decisions on 
remuneration for senior executives. The Company’s approach to annual salary reviews is consistent across the Group, with consideration 
given to the scope of the role, level of experience, responsibility, individual performance and pay levels in comparable companies.

In general, the Remuneration Policy and principles which apply to other senior executives are broadly consistent with those set out in this 
report for the CEO. Generally, remuneration is linked to Company and individual performance in a way that is ultimately aimed at 
reinforcing the delivery of shareholder value.

Senior employees above a specific grade are eligible to participate in an annual bonus scheme with a similar design to that for the 
CEO. Opportunities and specific performance conditions vary by organisational level with business area-specific metrics incorporated 
where appropriate.

All Peruvian employees participate in the statutory profit share scheme whereby an amount equal to 8% of the relevant Peruvian 
company’s taxable income for the year is distributable to its employees. The amount receivable by each employee is determined with 
reference to their annual base salary and bonus, if any, and the number of days worked in the calendar year.

Selected senior employees participate in the LTIP and are required to invest 50% of the vested cash award (on a tax net basis) in the 
Company’s shares and hold these shares for a further two years. These shares will count towards their target shareholding (expressed 
as a percentage of salary, which will be set depending on seniority).

Approach to remuneration on recruitment or promotion
The Committee’s policy is to set the remuneration package for a new Executive Director in accordance with the approved 
Remuneration Policy at the time of the appointment. The overarching aim is to ensure that the Company pays no more than is 
necessary to appoint individuals of an appropriate calibre.

In cases of appointing a new Executive Director, the Committee may make use of any of the existing components of remuneration 
as set out in the Policy Table. In determining the appropriate remuneration for a new Executive Director, the Committee will take into 
consideration all relevant factors (including the nature of remuneration and where the candidate was recruited from) to ensure that 
arrangements are in the best interests of Hochschild and its shareholders. Where an individual is appointed on an initial base salary 
that is below market, any shortfall may be managed with phased increases over a period of time, subject to the individual’s 
development in the role. This may result in above-average salary increases during this period.

In addition to the components of remuneration as set out in the Policy Table, the Committee may also make an award in respect of 
a new appointment to ‘buy-out’ incentive arrangements forfeited on leaving a previous employer on a like-for-like basis, having 
regard to the fair value of the instruments. In doing so, the Committee will consider relevant factors including any performance 
conditions attached to these awards and the likelihood of those conditions being met. The Committee aims to use the current 
remuneration structure in making recruitment awards, but in some cases it may be required to use the flexibility afforded by Listing 
Rule 9.4.2R, if appropriate, in relation to such buy-out awards.

In cases of appointing a new Executive Director by way of internal promotion, the Committee will determine remuneration in line 
with the Policy for external appointees as detailed above. Where an individual has contractual commitments made prior to his or 
her promotion to the Board, the Company will continue to honour these arrangements. Incentive opportunities for below-Board 
employees are typically no higher than for Executive Directors, but measures may vary to provide better line-of-sight.

Service contracts

Executive Director

Ignacio Bustamante

Date of service contract

1 April 2007

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationDIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION REPORT CONTINUED

Executive Director service contracts, including arrangements for early termination, are carefully considered by the Committee.

Ignacio Bustamante was appointed a Director of the Company with effect from 1 April 2010 and is employed under a contract of 
employment with Compañia Minera Ares S.A.C. (Ares) dated 1 April 2007. The contract is subject to Peruvian law and, as such, has 
no fixed term and may be terminated (i) by the executive on 30 days’ notice and (ii) by Ares without notice. Under Peruvian law, 
termination by Ares other than termination for certain prescribed reasons (such as gross negligence) gives rise to an entitlement to 
compensation of no less than 1.5 times the monthly base salary for each year of service completed, up to a maximum of 12 months’ 
base salary. In addition to these provisions and to reflect Peruvian market practice, the Committee has discretion to award Ignacio 
Bustamante up to an additional 12 months’ base salary on termination (other than for the prescribed reasons outlined above). The 
prevailing circumstances will be taken into consideration at the time of termination.

Non-Executive Directors
The Group’s Non-Executive Directors serve under Letters of Appointment as detailed in the table below. In accordance with their 
terms, the Non-Executive Directors serve for an initial period of three years which is automatically extended for further three-year 
terms. Notwithstanding this, all Directors are subject to annual re-election by the Company in general meeting in line with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, and the appointments of Non-Executive Directors may be determined by the Board or the Director 
giving not less than three months’ notice. Details of the terms of appointment of the Company’s Non-Executive Directors serving 
during the year are shown in the table below. The appointment and reappointment and the remuneration of Non-Executive 
Directors are matters reserved for the full Board.

Non-Executive Director

Eduardo Hochschild

Dr Graham Birch

Jorge Born Jr.

Jill Gardiner

Eileen Kamerick

Tracey Kerr

Michael Rawlinson

Dionisio Romero Paoletti

Letter of appointment dated

Anticipated expiry of present term of 
appointment (subject to annual re-election)

30 January 2015

20 June 2011

16 October 2006

17 July 2020

9 September 2016

4 December 2021

18 December 2015

18 December 2017

1 January 2025

1 July 2023

16 October 2024

1 August 2023

1 November 2022

10 December 2024

1 January 2025

1 January 2024

Note: Copies of the Directors’ letters of appointment and service agreements are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.

The Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Company’s performance-related incentive plans and do not 
receive any pension contributions. As part of his change of role from Executive to Non-Executive Chairman on 1 January 2015, the 
Committee agreed that Mr Hochschild would retain his eligibility for benefits received in respect of his time as an Executive Director, 
consisting primarily of personal security, car and driver, and medical insurance.

The Non-Executive Directors’ fees have been set at a level to reflect the amount of time and level of involvement required in order to 
carry out their duties as members of the Board and its Committees.

Details of the Policy on fees paid to our Non-Executive Directors are set out in the table below:

Objective

Details

Opportunity

To attract and retain 
Non-Executive Directors of 
the highest calibre with broad 
commercial and other 
experience relevant to the 
Company.

Fee levels are reviewed from time to time, with 
any adjustments typically effective from 1 
March each year.

The fee paid to the Chairman is determined by 
the Committee, and base fees to 
Non-Executive Directors are determined by the 
Board. Additional fees are payable for acting 
as Chair of the Board’s Committees and as 
Senior Independent Director.
Fee levels are reviewed by reference to 
FTSE-listed companies of similar size and 
complexity. Time commitment, level of 
involvement required and responsibility are 
taken into account when reviewing fee levels.

Non-Executive Director fees will typically only 
be increased during the term of this Policy in 
line with general market levels of NED fee 
inflation.
In the event that there is a material 
misalignment with the market or a change in 
the complexity, responsibility or time 
commitment required to fulfil a Non-Executive 
Director role, the Board has discretion to make 
an appropriate adjustment to the fee level.

The maximum aggregate annual fee for all 
Directors provided in the Company’s Articles of 
Association is £3 million p.a.

Performance 
metrics

None

In recruiting a new Non-Executive Director, the Committee will use the Policy as set out in the table above. A base fee would be 
payable for Board membership, with additional fees payable for those acting as Chair of the Company’s Board Committees and as 
Senior Independent Director, as appropriate.

Leaver and change-of-control provisions
The table below summarises how the awards under the annual bonus and LTIP are typically treated in specific circumstances, with 
the final treatment remaining subject to the Committee’s discretion. When considering the appropriate treatment, the Committee 
reviews all potential incentive outcomes to ensure they are fair to both shareholders and participants.

Reason for leaving

Treatment of awards

Timing of vesting

Annual bonus

Retirement, ill health, disability, death or any 
other reasons the Committee may determine 
in its absolute discretion

Cash bonuses will only be paid to the extent that Group and personal objectives 
set at the beginning of the year have been achieved. Any resulting bonus would 
typically be pro-rated for time served during the year.

The Committee has discretion to determine whether deferral would be applied.

Change of control and company/ 
business sale

The Committee would determine the most appropriate treatment in the 
circumstances. 

The Committee has discretion to determine whether deferral would be applied.

Any other reason

No bonus is paid.

LTIP

Retirement, ill health, disability, redundancy, 
injury or any other reasons the Committee 
may determine in its absolute discretion

Any outstanding awards will be pro-rated for time and performance, unless the 
Committee determines otherwise.

Death

Any outstanding awards will be pro-rated for time and performance, unless the 
Committee determines otherwise.

Change of control and company/
business sale

Any outstanding awards will be pro-rated for time and performance, unless the 
Committee determines otherwise. On a change of control, Hochschild awards 
may alternatively be exchanged for new equivalent awards in the acquirer, 
where appropriate.

Normal payment 
date, although the 
Committee has 
discretion 
to accelerate

On date of event

Not applicable

Normal vesting 
date, although the 
Committee has 
discretion to 
accelerate

On date of event

On date of event

Any other reason

Awards lapse.

Not applicable

Deferred Bonus Plan (‘DBP’)

Death, ill health, disability, redundancy, injury, 
retirement with agreement of the Director, or 
any other reasons the Committee may 
determine in its absolute discretion

Any outstanding awards would typically be pro-rated for time.

On date of event

Change of control and company/business sale Any outstanding awards would typically be pro-rated for time. On a change of 
control, Hochschild awards may alternatively be exchanged for new equivalent 
awards in the acquirer, where appropriate.

On date of event

Any other reason

Awards lapse.

Not applicable

The Remuneration Committee has discretion to determine the most appropriate treatment of vested LTIP awards that are subject 
to a holding period, based on the individual circumstances at the time.

 122  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 123  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationSTATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HOCHSCHILD MINING PLC

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and the Group and Parent Company financial statements in 
accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and 
Parent Company financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the Group 
and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with 
UK-adopted international accounting standards (‘IFRS’). Under 
company law the Directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Parent 
Company and of their profit or loss for that period. 

Under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules, group financial statements are 
required to be prepared in accordance with UK-adopted 
international accounting standards.

In preparing those financial statements, the Directors are 
required to:

 – select suitable accounting policies in accordance with IAS 8 
Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and 
Errors and then apply them consistently;

 – make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

 – present information, including accounting policies, in a 

manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information;

 – provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users to 
understand the impact of particular transactions, other events 
and conditions on the Group and Parent Company financial 
position and financial performance; 

 – in respect of the Group financial statements, state whether 
UK-adopted international accounting standards have been 
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements; 

 – in respect of the Parent Company financial statements, state 

whether UK-adopted international accounting standards have 
been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed 
and explained in the financial statements; and

 – prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is appropriate to presume that the Parent Company 
and/ or the Group will not continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parent 
Company’s and Group’s transactions and disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 
Parent Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that 
the Parent Company and the Group financial statements 
comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the Parent Company and the 
Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that comply with that law and those regulations.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Opinion
In our opinion:

 – Hochschild Mining PLC’s Group financial statements and 

Parent Company financial statements (the “financial 
statements”) give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s 
and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2021 
and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK adopted international 
accounting standards;

 – the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK adopted international 
accounting standards as applied in accordance with section 
408 of the Companies Act 2006; and

 – the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements of Hochschild Mining 
PLC (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for 
the year ended 31 December 2021 which comprise:

 Group

Parent Company

Consolidated statement 
of financial position as at 
31 December 2021

Statement of financial position as 
at 31 December 2021

Consolidated income statement 
for the year then ended

Statement of changes in equity for 
the year then ended

Statement of cash flows for the 
year then ended

Related notes 1 to 14 to the 
financial statements including a 
summary of significant 
accounting policies

Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income for the 
year then ended

Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity for the year 
then ended

Consolidated statement of cash 
flows for the year then ended

Related notes 1 to 39 to the 
consolidated financial 
statements, including a 
summary of significant 
accounting policies

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 
preparation is applicable law and UK adopted international 
accounting standards.

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in 
the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report below. We believe that the audit 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We are independent of the Group and Parent Company in 
accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to 
our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the 
Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard 
were not provided to the group or the parent company and we 
remain independent of the group and the parent company in 
conducting the audit.

Conclusions relating to going concern 
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that 
the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our 
evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group and Parent 
Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting included the following:

 – Obtaining an understanding management’s process and 

controls related to the assessment of going concern.

 – Obtaining the Group’s going concern assessment 

which includes the cash flow forecast and its liquidity 
position covering the period to 31 March 2023, being a 
period of at least twelve months from the approval of 
the financial statements.

 – Assessing the adequacy of the going concern assessment 

period until 31 March 2023, considering whether any events 
or conditions foreseeable after the period indicated a longer 
review period would be appropriate.

 – Reviewing and challenging the assumptions applied in the 
forecast, with our main focus, given the number of possible 
outcomes that exist, on the extreme downside scenario 
constructed by management as well as its reverse stress 
testing, as follows:
	•  Reviewing how the business model responds to reduced 

prices, and the extent of enhanced Covid-related restrictions 
impacting operations, such as additional restrictions on the 
movement of people across all operations or government-
imposed suspension of the operations.

	•  Modelling reverse stress tests based on management’s most 

severe scenario. This was performed to identify i) a 
combination of prices that would result in a closing cash 
position at the end of March 2023 that would be the minimum 
liquidity sufficient to maintain the business; and ii) the point at 
which the Group would breach its financial covenants during 
the going concern period. We assessed whether the 
probability of the resulting combination of prices and period 
of stoppage was remote based on historic price changes and 
stoppages experienced to date.

	•  Reviewing the reasonableness of all key assumptions in 

management’s forecasts based on third party sources and 
other evidence obtained through our audit. This includes the 
length of time Covid-related restrictions remain in place and 
the subsequent recovery period; the forecast gold and silver 
price used; the incremental costs to be incurred to manage the 
various health and safety Covid protocols; the level of costs 
estimated during the stoppages and ramp-up period; and the 
mitigating factors that exist that can be utilised to ensure the 
liquidity of the Group.

	•  Undertaking an assessment of management’s track record of 
accuracy in forecasting to determine the reliability of current 
forecasts by comparing actuals results with budgets and 
understanding any deviations.

 124  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 125  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

An overview of the scope of the parent company 
and group audits
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and 
our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit 
scope for each company within the Group. Taken together, this 
enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements. We take into account size, risk profile, the 
organisation of the Group and effectiveness of Group-wide 
controls, changes in the business environment and other factors, 
such as recent Internal Audit results, when assessing the level of 
work to be performed at each component.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group 
financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate 
quantitative coverage of significant accounts in the financial 
statements, of the 19 reporting components of the Group, we 
selected six components covering entities within the UK, Peru 
Argentina and Chile, which represent the principal business 
units within the Group.

We performed an audit of the complete financial information 
of three components (“full scope components”) which were 
selected based on their size or risk characteristics. In addition to 
this, for three components (“specific scope components”), we 
performed audit procedures on specific accounts within those 
components that we considered had the potential for the 
greatest impact on the financial statements either because 
of the size of these accounts or their risk profile.

The reporting components where we performed audit 
procedures accounted for 99% (2020: 99%) of the Group’s 
Adjusted EBITDA (on an absolute basis), 100% (2020: 100%) of 
the Group’s Revenue and 98% (2020: 98%) of the Group’s Total 
Assets. For the current year, the three full scope components 
contributed 99% (2020: 99%) of the Group’s Adjusted EBITDA (on 
an absolute basis), 100% (2020: 100%) of the Group’s Revenue 
and 76% (2020: 87%) of the Group’s Total Assets. The three 
specific scope components contributed 22% (2020: 11%) of the 
Group’s Total Assets. The audit scope of these specific scope 
components may not have included testing of all significant 
accounts of the component but will have contributed to the 
coverage of significant accounts tested for the Group.

The remaining 13 components together represent less than 
1% of the Group’s Adjusted EBITDA (on an absolute basis) 
(2020: 2%), For these components, we performed other 
procedures, including analytical reviews, testing of cash 
balances, testing of consolidation journals and enquiry of 
management about unusual transactions in these components, 
to respond to any potential risks of material misstatement to 
the Group financial statements.

The charts on the next page illustrate the coverage obtained 
from the work performed by our audit teams.

 – Obtaining bank confirmations covering 99.9% of the Group’s 

cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2021.

 – Verifying the terms, maturity, interest rates, and any 

restrictions or covenants of the borrowings held by the Group 
at the date of approving of the financial statements against 
the original contracts.

 – Confirming the appropriateness of the method used in 
management’s model, checked the clerical accuracy of 
management’s modelling, and recalculating management’s 
forecasts of its compliance with borrowing covenants 
throughout the assessment period under 
management’s scenarios.

 – With regards to the Parent Company financial statements, 
reviewing the letter of support received from Compañía 
Minera Ares (‘CMA’) and assessing the ability of CMA to 
provide financial support to the Parent Company during the 
going concern period, through our test of CMA’s future 
cashflows included within the Group’s going concern model.

 – Reviewing the appropriateness of management’s going 

concern disclosures in describing the risks associated with its 
ability to continue as a going concern during the assessment 
period to 31 March 2023.

Through our procedures we have observed that the 
combination of gold and silver prices used in management’s 
extreme downside scenario and those resulting from our reverse 
stress test are below the minimum analyst consensus price 
forecast for the going concern period.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified 
any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 
Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern for the going concern period to 31 March 2023, which is 
at least twelve months from when the financial statements are 
authorised for issue.

In relation to the Group and Parent Company’s reporting on how 
they have applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have 
nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the 
directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether 
the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with 
respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections 
of this report. However, because not all future events or 
conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee 
as to the Group or Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

Overview of our audit approach

Audit scope

 – We performed an audit of the complete financial 

information of three components, and audit 
procedures on specific balances for a further three 
components and for the remaining 13 components we 
performed other audit procedures.

 – The components where we performed full or specific 
audit procedures accounted for 99% of Adjusted 
EBITDA, 100% of Revenue and 98% of Total Assets.

 – Recoverability of the carrying value of the Group’s 

mining assets

 – Revenue recognition

 – Mine rehabilitation provisions

Key audit 
matters

Materiality

 – Overall Group materiality of US$7.6m which represents 

2% of Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted EBITDA %

Revenue %

Total assets %

Full scope 
components  99%
Other procedures  1%

Full scope 
components  100%

Full scope 
components  76%
Specific scope 
components  22%
Other procedures  2%

Changes from the prior year 
Our audit scope is consistent with that adopted in the prior year.

Involvement with component teams 
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we 
determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at 
each of the components by us, as the Group audit team (which 
comprises team members from both the UK and Peru), or by 
component auditors from other EY global network firms 
operating under our instruction. Of the three full scope 
components, audit procedures were performed on two of these 
by component audit teams, and directly by the Group audit 
team on the remaining one. For the three specific scope 
components, the work was performed by the Group audit team. 
We determined the appropriate level of involvement to enable us 
to determine that sufficient audit evidence had been obtained 
as a basis for our opinion on the Group as a whole.

The Group audit team has a programme of planned visits that 
has been designed to ensure that the Senior Statutory Auditor 
visits each of the primary operating locations where the Group 
audit scope is focused. The UK members of the Group audit 
team and the Senior Statutory Auditor would normally visit the 
Peru operating location twice every year, and the Argentina 
operating location at least once every two years. However, due 
to travel restrictions imposed by governments in response to the 
Covid pandemic, it was not possible to complete the planned 
visits to Peru and Argentina during the current or previous years’ 
audit cycles.

The UK members of the Group audit team therefore continued 
their approach, established in the previous year in response to 
the onset of the Covid pandemic, of virtually interacting with 
and monitoring component EY teams. In lieu of planned visits, 
we maintained regular dialogue with our component teams and 
the Group’s local management. We held additional phone and 
video meetings to discuss any issues arising from the audit work 
and to ensure that we were fully aware of the progress and 
results of the component teams’ audit procedures. We also 
utilised EY’s global audit platform to facilitate timely and secure 
delivery by management of requested evidence and to enable 
our review of key component workpapers.

The Group audit team thus interacted regularly with the 
component teams where appropriate during the various stages 
of the audit, was responsible for the scope and direction of the 
audit process, including through attendance at planning and 
closing meetings, and reviewed key audit working papers on risk 
areas. This, together with the additional procedures performed 
at Group level, gave us appropriate evidence for our opinion on 
the Group financial statements.

Climate change
There has been increasing interest from stakeholders as to how 
climate change will impact Hochschild Mining PLC. The Group 
has determined that the most significant future impacts from 
climate change on their strategy and operations will be from 
potential governmental and societal responses to climate 
change risks, changes in weather patterns and consequential 
restricted access to capital as a result of failing to respond to 
these risks. These are explained on pages 64 to 67 in the Task 
Force for Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and on 
page 74 in the principal risks and uncertainties, which form part 
of the “Other information,” rather than the audited financial 
statements. Our procedures on these disclosures therefore 
consisted solely of considering whether they are materially 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appear to be 
materially misstated.

As explained in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
and the TCFD, the governmental and societal responses to 
climate change risks are still developing, and are interdependent 
upon each other, and consequently financial statements cannot 
capture all possible future outcomes as these are not yet known. 
The degree of certainty of these changes may also mean that 
they cannot be taken into account when determining asset and 
liability valuations and the timing of future cash flows under the 
requirements UK adopted International Accounting Standards.

Our audit effort in considering climate change was focused 
on ensuring that the effects of material climate risks disclosed 
on page 74 have been appropriately reflected in disclosures 
in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We also 
challenged the Directors’ considerations of climate change 
in their assessment of going concern and viability and 
associated disclosures.

The Group is updating their risk assessment, strategy and 
action plan in response to climate change, and have shared 
their ambition to become carbon net zero. However, until this 
response is established they are unable to determine the full 
future economic impact on their business model, and 
operational plans and therefore the potential impacts are not 
fully incorporated in these financial statements.

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or 
not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing 
the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements 
as a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters.

 126  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 127  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
Key observations 
communicated to the 
Audit Committee 

As a result of the audit 
procedures performed, we 
have concluded that 
management’s impairment 
indicator analysis and 
impairment assessment for 
the Group’s CGUs has been 
carried out appropriately 
and in accordance with the 
requirements of IFRS.

We further concluded that 
the significant assumptions 
used in the recoverable 
value models prepared 
by management were 
appropriate, and where 
applicable, fell within 
the range of acceptable 
outcomes that we 
had calculated.

Based on the procedures 
performed, we consider the 
impairment of $24.9m 
recognised in respect of the 
Pallancata CGU to be 
appropriate and we are 
satisfied that the carrying 
value of the Volcan CGU 
does not require impairment 
nor reversal of impairment 
as at 31 December 2021.

We concluded that the 
related disclosures in the 
Group financial statements, 
including the significant 
judgement that permits will 
be obtained as required, 
are appropriate.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Risk 

Our response to the risk

Recoverability of the carrying value of the 
Group’s mining assets

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 
95); Accounting policies (page 139); and Notes 
16,17 and 18 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements (page 160)

At 31 December 2021 the carrying values of 
the Group’s mining assets were:

 – Property, plant and equipment: 
US$738.1m (2020: US$787.7m);
 – Evaluation and exploration assets: 
US$123.3m (2020: US$192.1m); and
 – Intangible assets: US$18.1m (2020: 

US$21.6m)

IFRS requires companies to test cash 
generating units (CGUs) for impairment 
whenever an indicator exists. An intangible 
asset with an indefinite useful life is tested for 
impairment at least annually and whenever 
there is an indication that the asset might be 
impaired. For the Group, CGUs represent 
individual mines and advanced exploration 
projects.

Additionally, IFRS requires testing of CGUs for 
impairment reversal at the end of each 
reporting period whether there is any indicator 
that an impairment loss recognised in prior 
periods (for an asset other than goodwill) may 
no longer exist, or may have decreased.

For the Group, the appropriate CGUs are:

 – Operating mines: Pallancata, Inmaculada 

and San Jose; and

 – Advanced exploration projects: Volcan, 

Azuca and Crespo.

The Volcan CGU includes an intangible asset 
with an indefinite useful life and therefore is 
tested for impairment at least annually and 
whenever there is an indication that the asset 
might be impaired.

As disclosed in Note 16 to the consolidated 
financial statements, indicators of impairment 
were identified in 2021 with respect to the 
Pallancata CGU, and therefore management 
performed an impairment test on that CGU.

As a consequence of the above indicator, 
management estimated the recoverable 
amount of the asset and recognised an 
impairment charge of $24.9m in respect of the 
Pallancata CGU.

There is a risk that the carrying values of the 
Group’s mining assets may not be recoverable 
or could require a reversal of impairments 
previously recognised.

The risk relating to recoverability of the 
carrying value of mining assets has remained 
stable in comparison to the prior year.

Our approach focused on the following procedures:

 – We obtained an understanding of management’s process and key 

controls over impairment of mining assets in supporting the 
prevention, detection and correction of material errors in the financial 
statements.

 – We also obtained an understanding of management’s process to 
obtain and extend the mining operating permits, including those 
related to mine closure plans, and assessed the reasonableness of 
any judgments that could impact the determination of the life of mine 
of the Group’s assets.

 – We obtained management’s assessment of whether any indicators of 
impairment or reversal of impairment were present at 31 December 
2021, following the requirements of IFRS.

 – We challenged the validity and completeness of the indicators 

identified by management in its assessment with reference to our 
existing knowledge of the business and evidence obtained elsewhere 
in our audit, including searching for contra-evidence, with a focus on 
the following key assumptions:
	•  We compared and assessed the changes to the spot and analysts’ 

forecasts of future gold and silver prices as at 31 December 2021 and 
31 December 2020.

	•  We obtained relevant support of management’s position on market 

interest rates and other macro-economic factors.

	•  We reviewed the economic performance of the CGUs during the year, 
discussed with management and reviewed the approved mine plans 
and/or budgets, taking into account the updated reserves and 
resources estimates.

 – For exploration projects we obtained an understanding of 

management’s plans to recover the carrying value in full from 
successful development or by sale.

 – We obtained the recoverable value model from management for the 
Pallancata CGU as this required a full impairment assessment and 
performed the following procedures:
	•  We assessed the appropriateness of the methodology applied in 

preparing the model as well as the arithmetical accuracy of 
management’s model.

	•  We challenged the appropriateness of key assumptions as compared 
with third party/independent sources or other evidence (including 
searching for contra-evidence),and performed sensitivity analyses 
on significant inputs.

	•  We undertook an assessment of management’s track record of 
accuracy in forecasting to determine the reliability of current 
forecasts, whilst considering the impact of the Covid pandemic and 
climate change on the cashflow projections. We agreed the main 
inputs to the approved mine plans or budgets, and compared them 
with historical actual figures, where appropriate.

	•  We involved our valuation specialists to assist us in challenging and 

assessing the appropriateness of the discount rate used in the 
calculation as well as other key assumptions such as future gold and 
silver prices.

	•  With respect to the recoverable value model for the Volcan CGU, we 

agreed the main inputs used to information from third party/
independent sources and involved our valuation specialists to assist 
us in assessing the appropriateness of the methodology applied to 
determine the carrying value of the CGU as well as the 
reasonableness of the risk premium used therein.

 – We compared the calculated recoverable value of the Pallancata and 
Volcan CGUs to the associated carrying value, assessing whether any 
impairment charges, or reversal of previously recognised impairment 
charges, were necessary.

 – We have reviewed, by reference to the FRC’s guidance, the 

appropriateness, sufficiency, and clarity of the impairment- 
related disclosures provided in the financial statements, including the 
sensitivity disclosures and the significant judgement, disclosed by the 
Group, that permits will be secured such that operations can continue 
without interruption.

The above audit procedures over this risk area, covering 100% of the 
amount at risk, were performed by the Group audit team.

Risk 

Revenue recognition

Our response to the risk

Our approach focused on the following procedures:

Refer to Accounting policies (page 146); and 
Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements (page 154)

For the year ended 31 December 2021 the 
Group recognised revenue from operations of 
US$811.4m (2020: US$621.8m).

The complexity of terms that define when 
control passes to the customer and the high 
value of transactions, gives rise to the risk that 
revenue is materially misstated through 
recognition in the incorrect period. Cut-off 
around the balance sheet date is the key area 
of risk.

The risk relating to revenue recognition 
has remained stable in comparison to the 
prior year.

 – We obtained an understanding of management’s process and key 

controls around the revenue recognition process to assess the design 
effectiveness in supporting the prevention, detection and correction 
of misstatements in the reported revenue figures.

 – We used data analytics tools to understand variations in revenue and 

receivables, covering the entire Group’s revenue and trade 
receivables balances.

 – We read the terms and conditions of material sales contracts and 

ensured they had been accounted for in line with the Group’s revenue 
recognition policy.

 – We performed detailed substantive testing procedures over 100% of 
the revenue transactions. This included: agreeing the main inputs to 
supporting evidence (such as provisional and final invoices, credit/
debit notes, bills of lading, market prices, agreements and bank 
statements), recalculating the amounts invoiced and recorded as 
revenue and performing cut-off testing to ensure revenue is 
recognised in the correct period.

Key observations 
communicated to the 
Audit Committee 

As a result of the procedures 
performed, we concluded 
that the Group has 
appropriately accounted 
for revenue transactions in 
accordance with IFRS.

 – For open sales where provisional pricing applies, we verified 
with external sources that inputs used were appropriate and 
recalculated the provisional price adjustment to ensure that it 
was correctly measured.

 – We performed analytical review procedures comparing current 
year to prior year, investigating unusual variances, taking into 
account: commodity type, quantities sold, prices (including discounts) 
and customers.

 – We investigated and obtained an understanding of the nature of any 
significant credits raised post year-end to ensure that transactions 
were recorded at the correct value in the relevant period.

 – We tested the reconciliation of year-end inventory (additional cut-off 

procedure) by agreeing the movements of production and sales 
transactions to the respective reports.

 – We assessed whether there were any performance obligations related 
to CIF shipping services that would need to be deferred, as required 
by IFRS 15.

 – We read and assessed the financial statements’ disclosures to ensure 

these were appropriate.

The above audit procedures were performed in two components under full 
scope audit, covering 100% of this risk amount, under the supervision and 
direction of the Group audit team.

Based on the procedures 
performed, we consider the 
judgments and 
assumptions made by 
management, supported by 
internal and external 
specialists, to be reasonable.

Our evaluation of the 
rationale for material 
changes in the mine 
rehabilitation provision was 
satisfactory as these 
reflected new conditions as 
at 31 December 2021.

We concluded that the 
provisions for mine 
rehabilitation activities have 
been recognised 
appropriately in accordance 
with IFRS, and that all 
required disclosures have 
been included in the Group 
financial statements.

Mine rehabilitation provisions

Our approach consisted of the following procedures:

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 
96); Accounting policies (pages 139 and 145); 
and Note 28 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements (page 170)

At 31 December 2021 management has 
recorded a mine rehabilitation provision of 
US$134.0m (2020: US$126.4m).

Management is required to provide for the 
costs of environmental rehabilitation and site 
restoration in accordance with IAS 37 
‘Provisions, contingent liabilities and 
contingent assets’.

Given the high level of judgment and 
estimation in assessing the method, timing 
and quantum of the cash flows required to 
rehabilitate mines, there is a risk that the 
provision is not appropriately valued.

The risk relating to mine rehabilitation 
provisions has remained stable, as certain 
mines are approaching the end of their life, 
and additional provisions have been 
recognised to reflect management’s latest 
estimates, supported by internal and 
external specialists.

 – We obtained an understanding of management’s process and 

controls to calculate the future rehabilitation costs.

 – We also obtained an understanding of management’s process to 
obtain and extend the mining operating permits, including those 
related to mine closure plans, and assessed the reasonableness of 
any judgments that could impact the determination of the life of mine 
of them Group’s assets.

 – We obtained a detailed understanding of the mine rehabilitation 

reports issued by the external specialists engaged by the Group and 
held discussions directly with the specialists to understand their work 
and assessed the sufficiency of the Group’s rehabilitation provisions.

 – We obtained and reviewed all mine closure plans approved by the 
Government and understood any reconciliations to the amounts 
provided in the financial statements.

 – We assessed the competence, objectiveness and independence of 

the external and internal specialists used by management.
 – We obtained an understanding of the main changes or lack of 

changes in estimates and new rehabilitation costs and challenged the 
rationale behind these. For this purpose we held discussions with 
management and the external specialists, as well as performing a 
comparison with prior year figures and inquiring about significant 
variances.

 – We proactively sought out potential contrary evidence that could 

indicate the need for further changes to estimates, considering, for 
example, changes in the life of mine, acquisitions, press releases, 
board minutes and the results of management inquiries.

 – With the assistance of component teams, we performed an overall 

recalculation of the mine rehabilitation provision, including assessing 
the appropriateness of the discount rate applied by agreeing the 
nominal risk-free rate according to the life of each mine unit to 
independent sources.

 – We assessed the appropriateness of the accounting for the 

changes to these provisions, and ensured that these changes and 
the provisions were appropriately reflected and disclosed in the 
Group financial statements.

The above audit procedures over this risk area, covering 100% of the 
amount at risk, were performed by the Group audit team with support of 
the component teams.

 128  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 129  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

The key audit matters in the current year audit report have not 
changed since the prior year.

As part of our audit, we also address the risk of management 
override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there 
is evidence of bias by the Directors that may represent a risk of 
material misstatement due to fraud. The above is not a complete 
list of all risks identified by our audit.

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing 
the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on 
the audit and in forming our audit opinion.

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually 
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. 
Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and 
extent of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the Group to be US$7.6m (2020: 
US$5.4m), which is 2% (2020: 2%) of the Group’s Adjusted 
EBITDA. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an earnings-based 
measure that is significant to users of the financial statements. 
This is considered to be a critical measure for users of the 
financial statements, given the focus on this metric by the 
Group’s shareholders, investors and external lenders. In 
addition, the Adjusted EBITDA measure is used to assess the 
Group’s compliance with key restrictive covenants on the 
Group’s borrowings.

We determined materiality for the Parent Company to be 
US$11.2m (2020: US$18.1m), which is 1% (2020: 1%) of Equity. 
The Parent Company materiality is higher than the Group 
materiality as it is based on Equity, which we consider to be an 
appropriate basis for materiality for a holding company, as the 
users of the financial statements focus on a capital-based 
.
measure.

Starting basis

Adjustments

Materiality

 – Profit from continuing operations 
before exceptional items, net of 
foreign exchange loss and income tax 
(US$179.4m)

 – Add: Depreciation and amortisation 
in cost of sales and in administrative 
expenses (US$147.7m)

 – Add: Exploration expenses other than 

personnel and other exploration 
related fixed expenses (U$39.8m)

 – Add: Other non-cash expenses 

(US$15.9m)

 – US$382.8m Adjusted EBITDA

 – Materiality of US$7.6m  
(2% of materiality basis)

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or 
balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately 
low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and 
undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our 
assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our 
judgment was that performance materiality was 75% (2020: 
75%) of our planning materiality, namely US$5.7m (2020: 
US$4.1m). We have set performance materiality at this 
percentage due to our understanding of the Group’s control 
environment, and that there have been no significant events 
that would alter our expectation that there is a low likelihood of 
misstatements that would be material individually or in 
aggregate to the financial statements.

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining 
audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is 
undertaken based on a percentage of total performance 
materiality. The performance materiality set for each 
component is based on the relative scale and risk of the 
component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the 
risk of misstatement at that component. In the current year, the 
range of performance materiality allocated to components was 
US$2.7m to US$5.7m (2020: US$1.8m to US$4.1m).

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered 
as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to 
them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of US$380k 
(2020: $US270k), which is set at 5% of planning materiality, as 
well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the 
quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in 
light of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming 
our opinion.

Other information 
The other information comprises the information included in the 
Annual Report set out on pages 1 to 124, including the Strategic 
Report and Governance sections (including the Directors’ 
Report, Corporate Governance Report, Supplementary 
Information, Directors’ Remuneration Report and Statement of 
Directors’ Responsibilities), other than the financial statements 
and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible 
for the other information contained within the Annual Report.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly 
stated in this report, we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in 
doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies 
or apparent material misstatements, we are required to 
determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement 
in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work 
we have performed, we conclude that there is a material 
misstatement of the other information, we are required to 
report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of 
the audit:

 – the information given in the Strategic Report and the 

Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial 
statements; and

 – the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been 

prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group 
and the Parent Company and its environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we have not identified material 
misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report 
to you if, in our opinion:

 – adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 
been received from branches not visited by us; or

 – the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

 – certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

 – we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Corporate Governance Statement
We have reviewed the directors’ statement in relation to going 
concern, longer-term viability and that part of the Corporate 
Governance Statement relating to the group and company’s 
compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have 
concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate 
Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit:

 – Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of 
adopting the going concern basis of accounting and any 
material uncertainties identified set out on pages 141 and 142;

 – Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the Company’s 
prospects, the period this assessment covers and why the 
period is appropriate set out on page 76;

 – Director’s statement on whether it has a reasonable 

expectation that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meets its liabilities set out on page 82;

 – Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set 

out on page 82;

 – Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust 

assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on 
page 97;

 – The section of the Annual Report that describes the review of 

effectiveness of risk management and internal control 
systems set out from page 96; and;

 – The section describing the work of the audit committee set out 

from page 93.

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement set out on page 124, the directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial statements and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 
control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are 
responsible for assessing the Group and Parent Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, 
matters related to going concern and using the going concern 
basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to 
liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to 
issue an auditor ’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always 
detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, 
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken 
on the basis of these financial statements.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered 
capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined below, to detect irregularities, including 
fraud. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to 
fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from 
error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for 
example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through 
collusion. The extent to which our procedures are capable of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and 
detection of fraud rests with both those charged with 
governance of the company and management.

 – We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory 

frameworks that are applicable to the Group and determined 
that the most significant and directly relevant to specific 
assertions in the financial statements are those related to the 
reporting frameworks (UK adopted international accounting 
standards), the Companies Act 2006, the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Listing Rules of the UK Listing 
Authority) and the relevant tax compliance regulations in the 
jurisdictions in which the Group operates (principally UK, Peru 
and Argentina). In addition, we concluded that there are 
certain significant laws and regulations that may have an 
effect on the determination of the amounts and disclosures in 
the financial statements, mainly relating to health and safety, 
employee matters, bribery and corruption practices, 
environmental and certain aspects of company legislation 
recognising the regulated nature of the Group’s mining 
activities and its legal form.

 – We understood how Hochschild Mining PLC is complying with 

those frameworks by making enquiries of management, 
internal audit, those responsible for legal and compliance 
procedures and the Company Secretary. We corroborated our 
enquiries through our review of Board minutes, papers 
provided to the Audit Committee and correspondence 
received from regulatory bodies, and noted there was no 
contradictory evidence.

 130  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 131  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 – During the year, it was identified that certain dividend 

distributions paid by the Company in previous years were 
not in accordance with The Companies Act 2006, due to the 
Company’s lack of sufficient distributable reserves at the 
relevant times. We reviewed the steps that the Company, 
along with its legal advisors, has taken and plans to take to 
remediate the issue. In addition, we ensured that related 
disclosures in the financial statements were appropriate.

 – We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial 

statements to material misstatement, including how fraud 
might occur, by meeting with management from various parts 
of the business to understand what areas were susceptible to 
fraud. We also considered performance targets and their 
propensity to influence management to manage earnings.

 – We considered the programmes and controls that the Group 
has established to address risks identified, or that otherwise 
prevent, deter and detect fraud; and how senior management 
monitors those programmes and controls. Where risk was 
considered as higher, we performed audit procedures to 
address each identified fraud risk.

 – Based on this understanding we designed our audit 

procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and 
regulations that could have a material impact on the financial 
statements. Our procedures involve: incorporated data 
analytics across our audit approach, journal entry testing with 
a focus on manual consolidation journals and journals 
meeting our defined risk criteria based on our understanding 
of the business; enquiries of the legal counsel, Group 
management, internal audit and all full and specific scope 
management; review of Board and Audit Committee reporting; 
and focused testing as referred to in the key audit matters 
section above.

 – We ensured our global team has appropriate industry 

experience through working for many years on relevant audits, 
including experience of mining. Our audit planning included 
considering external market factors, for example geopolitical 
risk, the potential impact of climate change, commodity price 
risk and major trends in the industry.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 
This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters we are required to address 
 – Following the recommendation from the audit committee, we 
were appointed by the Company on 16 October 2006 to audit 
the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 
2006 and subsequent financial periods. Following a 
competitive tender process, we were reappointed as auditor of 
the Company for the period ending 31 December 2016 and 
subsequent financial periods. 

The period of total uninterrupted engagement including 
previous renewals and reappointments is 16 years, covering 
the years ending 31 December 2006 to 31 December 2021.

 – The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard were not provided to the Group or the Parent 
Company and we remain independent of the Group and the 
Parent Company in conducting the audit.

 – The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the 

Audit Committee.

Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, 
in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might 
state to the company’s members those matters we are required 
to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or 
assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and 
the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

William Binns  
(Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of  
Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor  
London

23 February 2022

Consolidated income statement
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Continuing operations

Revenue 

Cost of sales

Gross profit 

Administrative expenses 

Exploration expenses 

Selling expenses 

Other income 

Other expenses 

Impairment and write-off of non-current assets, net

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations before net 
finance income/(cost), foreign exchange loss and 
income tax 

Share of loss of an associate

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Foreign exchange loss, net 

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations before 
income tax

Year ended 31 December 2021
Exceptional 
Before 
items 
exceptional 
(note 11)
items 
US$000
US$000

Total 
 US$000

Notes

Year ended 31 December 2020
Exceptional 
items 
(note 11)
US$000

Before 
exceptional 
items 
US$000

Total 
 US$000

5 

6 

7

8 

9 

12 

12

19

13

13 

811,387

–

811,387

621,827

–

621,827

(487,772)

(22,511)

(510,283)

(397,793)

(27,613)

(425,406)

323,615

(22,511)

301,104

224,034

(27,613)

196,421

(51,905)

(39,848)

(15,431)

–

–

–

(51,905)

(39,848)

(15,431)

8,435

37,461

45,896

(43,282)

(32,795)

(12,754)

3,617

–

–

–

–

(43,282)

(32,795)

(12,754)

3,617

(44,565)

(1,503)

(46,068)

(28,905)

(3,613)

(32,518)

(863)

(24,846)

(25,709)

(2,078)

8,303

6,225

179,438

(11,399)

168,039

107,837

(22,923)

84,914

(169)

3,946

(32,061)

(2,424)

–

–

–

–

(169)

3,946

–

4,197

(32,061)

(23,560)

(2,424)

(2,631)

–

–

–

–

–

4,197

(23,560)

(2,631)

148,730

(11,399)

137,331

85,843

(22,923)

62,920

Income tax (expense)/benefit 

14

(81,280)

15,055

(66,225)

(49,651)

7,157

(42,494)

Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations 

67,450

3,656

71,106

36,192

(15,766)

20,426

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Parent

Non-controlling interests 

Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share from continuing 
operations for the year (expressed in US dollars per share)

Diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary share from continuing 
operations for the year (expressed in US dollars per share)

15 

15 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2021

69,567

(2,117)

67,450

0.14

0.13

7,367

76,934

31,962

(16,800)

15,162

(3,711)

(5,828)

4,230

1,034

5,264

3,656

71,106

36,192

(15,766)

20,426

0.01

0.01

0.15

0.14

0.06

(0.03)

0.03

0.06

(0.03)

0.03

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income that might be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, net of tax:

Net gain/(loss) on cash flow hedges

Deferred tax (charge)/benefit on cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

Cumulative exchange differences gain transferred to the income statement on disposal of foreign operations

Share of other comprehensive loss of an associate

Other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, net of tax:

Net gain on equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (‘OCI’)

4

19

20

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Parent

Non-controlling interests

 132  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 133  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Year ended 31 December
2020 
US$000

2021 
US$000

Notes

71,106

20,426

38(a), 38(g)

25,028

(5,913)

30

(7,383)

(21,282)

9,995

(9)

1,744

159

–

–

6,349

(4,010)

261

261

6,610

77,716

83,544

(5,828)

77,716

1,765

1,765

(2,245)

18,181

12,917

5,264

18,181

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

Consolidated statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2021

Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December 2021

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment

Evaluation and exploration assets

Intangible assets 

Investment in an associate

Financial assets at fair value through OCI

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

Trade and other receivables 

Derivative financial assets

Deferred income tax assets 

Current assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Derivative financial assets

Income tax receivable 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

Capital and reserves attributable to shareholders of the Parent 

Equity share capital 

Share premium 

Other reserves

Retained earnings 

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

Non-current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Derivative financial liabilities

Borrowings 

Provisions 

Deferred income tax liabilities 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Derivative financial liabilities

Borrowings 

Provisions 

Deferred income

Income tax payable 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

As at 
31 December 
2021  
US$000

As at 
31 December 
2020  
US$000

Notes 

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

38(a)

30

23

22

38(a)

24 

738,119

123,304

18,094

43,559

661

3,155

2,470

5,042

484

787,663

192,121

21,564

–

402

5,407

5,395

–

1,009

934,888

1,013,561

49,184

69,749

14,073

32

386,789

519,827

42,362

78,196

–

59

231,883

352,500

1,454,715

1,366,061

29

29

226,506

438,041

226,506

438,041

(217,657)

(225,664)

25

38(f)

27

28

30

25

38(f)

27

28

248,664

695,554

63,890

759,444

2,815

–

300,000

116,835

87,228

506,878

287,652

726,535

79,550

806,085

205

4,503

199,554

109,033

73,316

386,611

133,482

114,415

–

499

32,058

–

22,354

188,393

695,271

1,500

10,778

25,504

400

20,768

173,365

559,976

1,454,715

1,366,061

Cash flows from operating activities 

Cash generated from operations 

Interest received 

Interest paid 

Payment of mine closure costs 

Income tax, special mining tax and mining royalty paid1

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of evaluation and exploration assets

Purchase of financial assets at fair value through OCI

Purchase of investment in associate

Purchase of financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

Purchase of Argentinian bonds

Proceeds from sale of Argentinian bonds

Proceeds from sale of financial assets at fair value through OCI

Proceeds from sale of financial assets at fair value though profit and loss

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 

Cash and cash equivalent of demerged entity

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Proceeds from borrowings 

Repayment of borrowings 

Payment of lease liabilities

Purchase of treasury shares

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Dividends paid 

Cash flows generated from/(used in) financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year 

Exchange difference 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

1  Taxes paid have been offset with value added tax (VAT) credits of US$3,478,000 (2020: US$3,390,000).

Year ended 31 December

2021  
US$000

2020  
US$000

Notes 

34 

319,588

208,999

27

28

17

20

19

21

13

13

20

21

4

27

27

26

29(b)

31

31

24 

1,938

(5,720)

(9,083)

(22,021)

284,702

(130,965)

(21,398)

(7)

(19,995)

(3,308)

(33,469)

18,133

9

4,726

3,393

(553)

2,292

(6,312)

(3,987)

(5,618)

195,374

(94,046)

(13,287)

–

–

–

(27,256)

14,486

7,522

–

352

–

(183,434)

(112,229)

105,954

(14,793)

(2,182)

–

(9,832)

(22,022)

57,125

158,393

(3,487)

231,883

386,789

48,520

(37,717)

(2,021)

(292)

(345)

(20,556)

(12,411)

70,734

(5,208)

166,357

231,883

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 February 2022 and signed on its behalf by: 

Ignacio Bustamante
Chief Executive Officer 
22 February 2022

 134  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 135  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationFINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Other reserves

Equity 
share 
capital 
US$000 

Share 
premium 
US$000

Treasury 
shares 
US$000

Notes

Fair 
value re-
serve of 
financial 
assets at 
fair value 
through 
OCI 
US$000

Share 
of other 
compre-
hensive 
loss of an 
asso-
ciate 
US$000

Dividends 
expired 
US$000

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment 
US$000

Unrealised 
gain/
(loss) on 
hedges 
US$000

Share- 
based 
payment 
reserve 
US$000

Merger 
reserve 
US$000

Total 
other 
reserves 
US$000

Retained 
earnings 
US$000

Capital and 
reserves 
attributable 
to 
shareholders 
of the Parent 
US$000

Non-
controlling 
interests 
US$000

Total 
equity 
US$000

99

(14,035)

– (210,046)

2,164 (221,800) 290,263

733,010

74,631 807,641

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

159

(4,169)

–

–

159

(4,169)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,245)

–

(2,245)

–

(2,245)

–

(2,245)

15,162

12,917

5,264 18,181

–

(1,988)

1,988

(1,087)

(1,087)

795

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(20,556)

(20,556)

– (20,556)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(345)

(345)

(292)

1,456

–

–

(292)

1,456

1,456

1,456

99

(13,876)

(4,169) (210,046)

2,533 (225,664) 287,652

726,535

79,550 806,085

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Balance at 
1 January 2020

Other 
comprehensive 
income/
(expense)

Profit for the 
year

Total 
comprehensive 
income/ 
(expense) for 
the year

Sale of financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
OCI

Exercise of 
share options

Dividends 

Dividends to 
non-  
controlling 
interests

20

29(b)

31

31

Purchase of 
treasury shares 29(b)

Share-based 
payments

29(c)

Balance at 31 
December 2020

Other 
comprehensive 
income/
(expense)

Profit for the 
year

Total 
comprehensive 
income/ 
(expense) for 
the year

Sale of financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
OCI

Dividends 

In specie 
dividends

Dividends to 
non-controlling 
interests

Share-based 
payments

Forfeiture of 
share options

Balance at 31 
December 2021

20

31

31

29(c)

29(c)

226,506 438,041

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

226,506 438,041

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

226,506 438,041

–

–

–

18

1,765

–

–

1,765

–

(1,988)

–

–

–

–

–

(205)

261

–

292

–

–

(292)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(9)

–

–

–

(11,287)

17,645

–

–

261

(9)

–

(11,287)

17,645

18

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1  Corporate information
Hochschild Mining PLC (hereinafter ‘the Company’) is a public limited company incorporated on 11 April 2006 under the 
Companies Act 1985 as a Limited Company and registered in England and Wales with registered number 05777693. The 
Company’s registered office is located at 17 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PH, United Kingdom. 

The ultimate controlling party of the Company is Mr Eduardo Hochschild whose beneficial interest in the Company and its 
subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’ or ‘Hochschild Mining Group’) is 38.32% and is held through Pelham Investment Corporation 
(‘Pelham’), a Cayman Islands company.

On 8 November 2006, the Company’s shares were admitted to the Official List of the UKLA (United Kingdom Listing Authority) and 
to trading on the London Stock Exchange. 

The Group’s principal business is the mining, processing and sale of silver and gold. The Group has two operating mines (Pallancata 
and Inmaculada) located in southern Peru and one operating mine (San Jose) located in Argentina. The Group also has a portfolio 
of projects located across Peru, Argentina, Mexico, United States, Canada and Chile at various stages of development. 

–

15,162

15,162

5,264 20,426

These consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 22 February 2022.

The Group´s subsidiaries are as follows:

Company

Principal activity

Country of incorporation

Hochschild Mining (Argentina) Corporation S.A.1

Holding company 

MH Argentina S.A.2 

Exploration office 

Argentina

Argentina

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.1 and 10

Production of gold and silver

Argentina

Minera Hochschild Chile S.C.M.3 

Andina Minerals Chile SpA (formerly Andina 
Minerals Chile Ltd.)3 

REE UNO SpA4

Southwest Minerals (Yunnan) Inc.5

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Chile

Chile

Chile

China

Hochschild Mining Holdings Limited6

Holding company

England and Wales

Hochschild Mining Ares (UK) Limited6

Administrative office

England and Wales

–

–

6,610

–

6,610

–

6,610

–

76,934

76,934

(5,828) 71,106

Southwest Mining Inc.5

Southwest Minerals Inc.5

Minera Hochschild Mexico, S.A. de C.V.7

Hochschild Mining (Peru) S.A.5 

Compañía Minera Ares S.A.C.5 

Compañía Minera Arcata S.A.5 

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Holding company 

Production of gold and silver 

Production of gold and silver 

–

6,610

76,934

83,544

(5,828) 77,716

Empresa de Transmisión Aymaraes S.A.C.5 

Power transmission

18

(18)

–

–

–

– (22,022)

(22,022)

– (22,022)

– (94,945)

(94,945)

– (94,945)

Minera Antay S.A.C.5 

Hochschild Mining (US) Inc.8

Hochschild Mining Canada Corp9

1334940 BC9

Exploration

Holding company

Exploration

Holding company

Mauritius

Mauritius

Mexico

Peru

Peru

Peru

Peru

Peru

USA

Canada

Canada

Equity interest at 31 December 
2020
%

2021
%

100

100

51

100

100

0

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

99.1

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

51

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

99.1

100

100

100

0

0

–

–

(9,832)

(9,832)

–

–

2,442

2,442

2,442

(1,063)

(1,063)

1,063

–

–

–

2,442

–

74

(9)

99

(25,163)

13,476 (210,046)

3,912

217,657 248,664

695,554

63,890 759,444

1  Registered address: Av. Santa Fe 2755, floor 9, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2  Registered address: Sargento Cabral 124, Comodoro Rivadavia, Provincia de Chubut, Argentina.
3  Registered address: Av. Apoquindo 4775 of 1002, Comuna Las Condes, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
4  Registered address: Cerro el Plomo 5630, floor 9, Las Condes, Santiago de Chile, Chile. The Company ceased to be controlled by the Group on 8 December 2021 (refer note 4).
5  Registered address: La Colonia 180, Santiago de Surco, Lima, Peru.
6  Registered address: 17 Cavendish Square, London, W1G0PH, United Kingdom.
7  Registered address: Calle Aguila Real No 122, Colonia Carolco, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, CP 64996, Mexico.
8  Registered address: 1025 Ridgeview Dr. 300, Reno, Nevada 89519, USA.
9  Registered address: Suite 1700, Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, V6C 2X8. 
10 The Group has a 51% interest in Minera Santa Cruz S.A. (Minera Santa Cruz), while the remaining 49% is held by a non-controlling interest. The significant financial information in 
respect of this subsidiary before intercompany eliminations as at and for the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 is as follows: 

 136  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 137  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

1  Corporate information continued

As at 31 December

   The values of the Group’s mining assets are sensitive to a 

 – Income tax – notes 2(t), 2(u), 14, 30 and 36(a)

 – Recoverable values of mining assets – notes 2(k), 16, 17 and 18

Critical judgements: 

Non-current assets

Current assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Equity

Cash and cash equivalents

Revenue

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Income tax

Profit for the year and total comprehensive income

Net cash generated from operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities

2021
US$000

157,629

89,923

(68,667)

(51,354)

2020
US$000

166,663

94,924

(61,711)

(40,389)

(127,531)

(159,487)

25,942

258,972

(52,069)

1,558

(3,196)

(13,550)

(11,891)

62,614

(43,667)

(30,900)

37,899

206,098

(31,790)

607

(3,291)

(6,483)

10,743

28,272

(17,734)

9,926

(Loss)/profit attributable to non-controlling interests in the consolidated income statement, non-controlling interest in the 
consolidated statement of financial position, and dividends declared to non-controlling interests in the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity are solely related to Minera Santa Cruz.

2  Significant accounting policies 
(a)  Basis of preparation 
The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been 
prepared in accordance with UK adopted International 
Accounting Standards. 

The basis of preparation and accounting policies used in 
preparing the consolidated financial statements for the years 
ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 are set out below. The 
consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a 
historical cost basis except for the revaluation of certain 
financial instruments that are measured at fair value at the end 
of each reporting period, as explained below. These accounting 
policies have been consistently applied, except for the effects of 
the adoption of new and amended accounting standards.

The financial statements are presented in US dollars (US$) and 
all monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand 
($000) except when otherwise indicated. 

Changes in accounting policy and disclosures 
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
interim condensed consolidated financial statements are 
consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group’s 
annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 
December 2020, except for the adoption of new standards and 
interpretations effective for the Group from 1 January 2021. 
Other amendments and interpretations apply for the first time in 
2021, but do not have an impact on the consolidated financial 
statements of the Group. The Group has not early adopted any 
other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been 
issued but is not yet effective. 

Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing 
standards that are not yet effective and have not been 
previously adopted by the Group 
Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to 
existing standards have been published and are mandatory for 
the Group’s accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 
2022 or later periods but which the Group has not previously 
adopted. These have not been listed as they are not expected to 
impact the Group.

(b)  Judgements in applying accounting policies and key 
sources of estimation uncertainty 
Many of the amounts included in the financial statements 
involve the use of judgement and/or estimation. These 
judgements and estimates are based on management’s best 
knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances, having 
regard to prior experience, but actual results may differ from the 
amounts included in the financial statements. Information about 
such judgements and estimates is contained in the accounting 
policies and/or the notes to the financial statements. 

Significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical 
judgements made by management in preparing the 
consolidated financial statements include:

Significant estimates:

 – Useful lives of assets for depreciation and amortisation 

purposes – note 2(f)

   Estimates are required to be made by management as to the 
useful lives of assets. For depreciation calculated under the 
unit-of-production method, estimated recoverable reserves 
and resources are used in determining the depreciation and/or 
amortisation of mine-specific assets. This results in a 
depreciation/amortisation charge proportional to the 
depletion of the anticipated remaining life-of-mine production. 
Each item’s life, which is assessed annually, has regard to both 
its physical life limitations and to present assessments of 
economically recoverable reserves and resources of the mine 
property at which the asset is located. These calculations 
require the use of estimates and assumptions, including the 
amount of recoverable reserves and resources. Changes are 
accounted for prospectively.

 – Ore reserves and resources – note 2(h)

   There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating ore 

reserves and resources. Assumptions that are valid at the time 
of estimation may change significantly when new information 
becomes available. Changes in the forecast prices of 
commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery 
rates may change the economic status of reserves and 
resources and may, ultimately, result in the reserves and 
resources being updated.

range of characteristics unique to each mine unit. Key sources 
of estimation for all assets include uncertainty around ore 
reserve estimates and cash flow projections. In performing 
impairment reviews, the Group assesses the recoverable 
amount of its operating assets principally with reference to 
fair value less costs of disposal, assessed using discounted 
cash flow models. To determine the fair value less costs of 
disposal of exploration assets the Group uses the value-in-
situ methodology. This methodology applies a realisable 
‘enterprise value’ to unprocessed mineral resources per 
ounce of resources. 

   There is judgement involved in determining the assumptions 
that are considered to be reasonable and consistent with 
those that would be applied by market participants. Significant 
estimates used include future gold and silver prices, future 
capital requirements, reserves and resources volumes, 
production costs and the application of discount rates which 
reflect the macro-economic risk in Peru and Argentina, as 
applicable. Judgement is also required in determining the 
risk factor that will be applied by market participants to take 
into account the water restrictions imposed by the Chilean 
government over the Volcan cash-generating unit. Changes in 
these assumptions will affect the recoverable amount of the 
property, plant and equipment, evaluation and exploration 
assets, and intangibles.

 – Mine closure costs – notes 2(o) and 28(1)

   The Group assesses its mine closure cost provision annually. 

Significant estimates and assumptions are made in 
determining the provision for mine closure cost as there are 
numerous factors that will affect the ultimate liability. These 
factors include estimates of the extent and costs of 
rehabilitation activities, technological changes, regulatory 
changes, cost increases, mine life and changes in discount 
rates. Those uncertainties may result in future actual 
expenditure differing from the amounts currently provided. 
The provision at the balance sheet date represents 
management’s best estimate of the present value of the future 
closure costs required. In July 2021, the mine closure law for 
the province of Santa Cruz in Argentina was published, which 
indicates a period of 180 business days to present the Mine 
Closure Plan; the Group is waiting for the regulation which will 
be issue in 2022 to assess the potential impact on the closure 
activities and hence in the financial statements.

 – Valuation of financial instruments – note 38

   The valuation of certain Group assets and liabilities reflects the 
changes to certain assumptions used in the determination of 
their value, such as future gold and silver prices. 

 – Non-market performance conditions on LTIP 2021 – note 29(c)

   There are two parts to the performance conditions attached to 

LTIP awards: 50% is subject to the Company’s TSR ranking 
relative to a tailored peer group of mining companies, 50% is 
subject to internal KPIs split equally between: (i) three-year 
growth of the Company’s Measured and Indicated Resources 
(‘MIR’) per share (calculated on an enterprise value basis), and 
(ii) average outcome of the annual bonus scorecard in respect 
of 2021, 2022 and 2023, calculated as the simple mean of the 
three scorecard outcomes.

   Judgement is required in determining whether deferred tax 
assets are recognised on the statement of financial position. 
Deferred tax assets, including those arising from un-utilised 
tax losses, require management to assess the likelihood that 
the Group will generate taxable earnings in future periods, in 
order to utilise recognised deferred tax assets. Estimates of 
future taxable income are based on forecast cash flows from 
operations and the application of existing tax laws in each 
jurisdiction. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable 
income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the 
Group to realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the 
balance sheet date could be impacted. The Group analyses 
the possibility of generating profit in all the companies and 
determines the recognition of deferred tax. No deferred tax 
asset is recognised in the holding and exploration entities as 
they are not expected to generate any profit to settle the 
temporary difference (refer to note 30).

   Judgement is also required when determining the recognition 

of tax liabilities as the tax treatment of some transactions 
cannot be finally determined until a formal resolution has been 
reached by the tax authorities. Tax liabilities are also recorded 
for uncertain exposures which can have an impact on both 
deferred and current tax. Tax benefits are not recognised 
unless it is probable that the benefit will be obtained and tax 
liabilities are recognised if it is probable that a liability will arise 
(refer to note 36(a)). The final resolution of these transactions 
may give rise to material adjustments to the income statement 
and/or cash flow in future periods. The Group reviews each 
significant tax liability or benefit each period to assess the 
appropriate accounting treatment.

 – Life of mine (‘LOM’).

   There are several aspects which are determined by the life of 
mine, such as ore reserves and resources, recoverable values 
of mining assets, mine rehabilitation provision and 
depreciation. The life of mine for an operation is specified in 
the relevant Environmental Impact Assessment (‘EIA’) which is 
amended from time to time as more resources at the mine are 
identified. EIAs are permits which are granted in the ordinary 
course of business to the mining industry. While the processing 
of such permits may be subject to delays, the Group has never 
had an EIA denied. A crucial element of Peru’s legal framework 
is the principle of predictability which, in essence, means that if 
the legal requirements for any given permit have been 
satisfied, the State cannot lawfully deny the granting of the 
permit. The commitment to this principle has been reaffirmed 
in recent interactions with governmental authorities as 
demonstrated by the recent approval of the third amendment 
of the Mine Closure Plan for Inmaculada on 23 December 2021, 
despite the announcements made by the Peruvian Head of 
Cabinet in the Coracora district in Ayacucho in November 
2021 (further details of which are provided on page 72). Taking 
this into consideration, as well as the Group’s operational 
experience, the Group believes that permits will be secured 
such that operations can continue without interruption. In the 
unlikely scenario that this does not occur, there could be 
material changes to those items in the financial statements 
that are determined by the life of mine.

 – Determination of functional currencies – note 2(e)

   The determination of functional currency requires 

management judgement, particularly where there may be 
several currencies in which transactions are undertaken and 
which impact the economic environment in which the entity 
operates. In Argentina, the exchange control restrictions limit 
the ability of companies to hold US$ dollars but do not restrict 
carrying out transactions in US dollars.

 138  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 139  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Significant accounting policies continued 
 – Recognition of evaluation and exploration assets and transfer 

to development costs – notes 2(g), 16 and 17

   Judgement is required in determining when the future 

economic benefit of a project can reasonably be regarded as 
assured, at which point evaluation and exploration expenses 
are capitalised. This includes the assessment of whether there 
is sufficient evidence of the probability of the existence of 
economically recoverable minerals to justify the 
commencement of capitalisation of costs; the timing of the end 
of the exploration phase; the start of the development phase; 
and the commencement of the production phase. For this 
purpose, the future economic benefit of the project can 
reasonably be regarded as assured when the Board authorises 
management to conduct a feasibility study, mine-site 
exploration is being conducted to convert resources to 
reserves, or mine-site exploration is being conducted to 
confirm resources, all of which are based on supporting 
geological information.

 – Pandemic expenses

   The Group analyses the effect of pandemics in its operations 

and accounting treatment, because they generate stoppages, 
low capacity production and incremental costs. In the case of 
Covid-19, the fixed ‘normal’ production costs during stoppages 
are recognised as expenses and are not considered as costs of 
the inventories produced. In the income statement these fixed 
costs are classified as pre-exceptional. 

   To determine whether the incremental Covid-related costs 

should be recognised as exceptional expenses, consideration 
has been made as to whether they meet the criteria as set out 
in the Group’s accounting policy (note 2(z)), in particular 
regarding the expected infrequency of the events that have 
given rise to them.

   The pandemic can be considered a single protracted globally 

pervasive event with a financial impact over a number of 
reporting periods. Management’s initial expectation was that 
these costs would cease to be incurred at the end of 2020 or 
early 2021, and whilst the majority of the costs have reduced 
over time as a result of the efficiencies made to the health 
protocols and logistics required to operate throughout the 
pandemic, some residual costs continue to be incurred to date. 
In order to provide the users of the financial statements with a 
better understanding of the financial performance of the 
Group in the year, and to facilitate comparison with the prior 
period, we have considered it appropriate to continue to 
disclose separately as exceptional these incremental Covid-
related costs up to December 2021.

   Following the outbreak of the Omicron variant, the virus 

appears to have shifted into an endemic phase. Consequently, 
these costs will no longer be presented as exceptional items 
from 2022 and will form part of the underlying profits.

 – Climate change 

	• General

 The Group is in the process of completing a climate change 
risk assessment and strategy and developing an action plan 
to continually reduce operational energy, GHG emissions 
and water consumption, with the ultimate aim of reaching 
net zero GHG emissions. As a result, the Group is currently 
unable to determine the full future economic impact of this 
strategy on its business model and operational plans and 
therefore the potential impacts are not fully incorporated in 
these financial statements. 

 In addition, societal expectations are driving government 
action that may impose further requirements and cost on 
companies in the future. Therefore risks associated with 
climate change could, over time, impose changes that may 
potentially impact (among other things) capital expenditure, 
mine closure provisions and production costs. However, 
currently the financial statements cannot capture such 
possible future outcomes as these are not yet known. With 
regards to the calculation of those items in the financial 
statements that rely on life-of-mine calculations (such as 
impairments, deferred tax and depreciation), it should be 
highlighted that as an underground mining company, 
Hochschild Mining’s operating assets have much lower lives 
than conventional open-pit mining companies. As such, by 
virtue of the longer-term time horizon of the physical risks of 
climate change, the financial impact on such items will be 
less pronounced than may otherwise be expected. 

 The adoption of the Group’s climate change strategy and 
the implementation of climate-change regulations in the 
countries where the Group operates may impact the 
Group’s significant judgements and key estimates and could 
result in material changes to financial results and the 
carrying values of certain assets and liabilities in future 
reporting periods.

	• Physical risks 

 As previously stated, the Group is progressing work to assess 
the potential impact of the physical risks of climate change. 
Given the ongoing nature of the Group’s physical risk 
assessment process, reflecting adaptation risk in the 
Group’s operating plans, and associated asset valuations, is 
currently limited. As the Group progresses its adaptation 
strategy, the identification of additional risks or the detailed 
development of the Group’s response may result in material 
changes to financial results and the carrying values of 
assets and liabilities in future reporting periods.

(c)  Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements set out the Group’s 
financial position, performance and cash flows as at 31 
December 2021 and 31 December 2020 and for the years then 
ended, respectively. 

Subsidiaries are those entities controlled by the Group 
regardless of the amount of shares owned by the Group. Control 
is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable 
returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability 
to affect those returns through its power over the investee. 
Non-controlling interests’ rights to safeguard their interest 
are fully considered in assessing whether the Group controls 
a subsidiary. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, 
and only if, the Group has: 

 – power over the investee (i.e. existing rights that give it the 

current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee); 

 – exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement 

with the investee; and 

 – the ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns.

Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights 
result in control. To support this presumption and when the 
Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of 
an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and 
circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an 
investee, including:

 – the contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of  

the investee; 

 – rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and 

 – the Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights. 

The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if 
facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one 
or more of the three elements of control.

Basis of consolidation 
Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date of their acquisition, 
being the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue 
to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. 

Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired 
or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated 
financial statements from the date the Group gains control until 
the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component of OCI are attributed to the 
equity holders of the parent of the Group and to the non-
controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling 
interests having a deficit balance. When necessary, adjustments 
are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring 
their accounting policies in line with the Group’s accounting 
policies. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, 
expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between 
members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.

A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without loss 
of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction, affecting 
retained earnings. If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it 
(i) derecognises the assets (including goodwill) and liabilities of 
the subsidiary; (ii) derecognises the carrying amount of any 
non-controlling interest (‘NCI’); (iii) derecognises the cumulative 
translation differences, recorded in equity; (iv) recognises the 
fair value of the consideration received; (v) recognises the fair 
value of any investment retained; (vi) recognises any surplus or 
deficit in profit or loss; and (vii) reclassifies the parent’s share of 
components previously recognised in other comprehensive 
income to profit or loss or retained earnings, as appropriate.

An NCI represents the equity in a subsidiary not attributable, 
directly and indirectly, to the Parent Company and is presented 
separately within equity in the consolidated statement of 
financial position, separately from equity attributable to owners 
of the parent.

Losses within a subsidiary are attributable to the NCI even if that 
results in a deficit balance.

Business combinations 
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition 
method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the 
aggregate of the consideration transferred, measured at 
acquisition date fair value and the amount of any NCI in the 
acquiree. The choice of measurement of NCI, either at fair value 
or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net 
assets, is determined on a transaction by transaction basis. 
Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and included in 
administrative expenses. 

Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the 
aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount 
recognised for the NCI, and any interest previously held, over the 
net identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. 
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in transactions separate 
to the business combinations, such as the settlement of 
pre-existing relationships or post-acquisition remuneration 
arrangements, are accounted for separately from the business 
combination in accordance with their nature and applicable 
IFRSs. Identifiable intangible assets meeting either the 
contractual-legal or the separability criteria are recognised 
separately from goodwill. Contingent liabilities representing a 
present obligation are recognised if the acquisition date fair 
value can be measured reliably.

(d)  Going concern 
The Group’s business activities, its future development and the 
factors likely to affect its performance and position are set out 
in the Strategic Report from page 2 to page 77. The financial 
position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and 
borrowings are described in the Financial Review on pages 36 
to 44 and discussion of the Group’s viability on the occurrence 
of certain scenarios is provided in the Viability Statement on 
page 76. In addition, note 38 to the financial statements 
includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for 
managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; 
details of its financial instruments; and its exposure to credit 
risk and liquidity risk.

Covid-19
The reduced impact of Covid-19 meant that Hochschild Mining 
was able to benefit from a year of uninterrupted operations. The 
Company continues to take a cautious approach and prioritises 
employee welfare by facilitating social distancing at the 
operations, implementing testing, and taking other relevant 
measures. The Company’s Covid-19 Crisis Plan, which provides 
for numerous mitigating measures to be adopted in response to 
an outbreak of infections, can be implemented as required. At 
the time of writing, the number of new Covid-19 cases in Peru 
and Argentina is falling from a recent peak due to the Omicron 
variant and the Directors are confident that adequate 
mitigation steps can be taken to prevent significant disruption to 
the business. The Directors’ assessment is naturally dependent 
on the continued progress in Peru and Argentina with regards to 
their respective government vaccination rollout programmes 
and the effectiveness of these vaccines against new variants of 
the virus.

Further information on the action taken by the Company in 
2020 can be found on pages 64 to 71 of the Risk Management 
report. and pages 6 and 7 of the 2020 Annual Report.

Socio-political developments
As described in the Risk Management report, in the run up to the 
Peruvian Presidential elections in the first half of 2021 and 
following the inauguration of the left-wing Castillo 
administration in late July 2021, issues associated with mining 
have been the subject of increased public debate. Particular 
aspects relate to mining companies’ social licence to operate 
and the taxation of mining companies’ revenues. 

 – Government/legislative action

In considering the possible impact on the business by 
government action, the Directors note that, as reported in the 
Risk Management report, the Peruvian Government intends to 
submit a legislative bill to Congress to increases taxes on the 
mining sector in Q1 2022 although no specific details have been 
announced.

 – Social licence

As a result of the election of the Castillo administration, rural 
communities have become more active in their demands to 
mine operators for economic and other forms of support. 
The Company is committed to active engagement with local 
communities and details of initiatives pursued during the year 
can be found in the Sustainability Report on page 54. The 
Company’s approach was recently acknowledged by various 
stakeholders who conveyed formal expressions of support for 
the Company in response to events in the Coracora district in 
Ayacucho in November 2021 (see page 72 for further details).

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information   
   
   
   
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Significant accounting policies continued 
Directors’ assessment
The Directors have reviewed Group liquidity, including cash 
resources and borrowings (refer to note 27 on details of the 
US$300 million medium-term loan) and related covenant 
forecasts to assess whether the Group is able to continue in 
operation for the period to 31 March 2023 (the ‘Going Concern 
Period’) which is at least 12 months from the date of these 
financial statements. In line with their usual practice, the 
Directors also considered the impact of a number of potential 
downside scenarios on the Group’s future cash flows and 
liquidity position as well as debt covenant compliance. The 
scenarios were further reviewed under varying precious metal 
price assumptions.

Within these scenarios, consideration was given to the potential 
impact of Covid and the possible actions of government and 
other third parties.

More specifically, the scenarios reviewed by the Directors 
included a base case (the ‘Base Scenario’), reflecting (among 
other things) budgeted production for 2022, life-of-mine plans 
for Inmaculada, Pallancata and San Jose, a budget for Covid-
related costs, the planned acquisition of Amarillo Gold 
Corporation in Q1 2022 and average precious metal prices of 
$1,745/oz for gold and $23.3/oz for silver, being the average 
analysts’ consensus for the next 15 months (the ‘Assumed 
Prices’). The Directors also considered ‘Severe’ and ‘Remote’ 
scenarios which took into account a combination of 
circumstances which is considered by the Directors to be 
unlikely. The former takes into account a four-week suspension 
of all operations and an increase in royalties and taxes. The 
latter analyses the cumulative impact of the Severe scenario 
and precious metal prices which are 20% lower than the 
Assumed Prices. Those prices would be significantly below 
current spot prices. In each scenario, it has been assumed that 
all employees remain on full pay and that mitigating actions, 
while available, would not be necessary to maintain a 
comfortable level of liquidity.

Under all three scenarios, the cash balance remained more than 
adequate for the Group’s forecast expenditure with sufficient 
headroom maintained to comply with debt covenants. The 
results of a reverse stress test were also considered.

Conclusion
After their review, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group and the Company have adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence during the Going Concern 
Period. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

(e)  Currency translation 
The functional currency for each entity in the Group is 
determined by the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which it operates. For the holding companies 
and operating entities this currency is US dollars and for the 
other entities it is the local currency of the country in which they 
operate. The Group’s financial information is presented in US 
dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. 
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the 
functional currency of the entity are initially recorded in the 
functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the 
date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured at the 
exchange rate prevailing at the statement of financial position 
date. Exchange gains and losses on settlement of foreign 
currency transactions which are translated at the rate prevailing 
at the date of the transactions, or on the translation of monetary 
assets and liabilities which are translated at period-end 
exchange rates, are taken to the income statement. Non-
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies that are stated at historical cost are translated to the 
functional currency at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at 
the date of the transaction. Exchange differences arising from 
monetary items that are part of a net investment in a foreign 
operation are recognised in equity and transferred to income on 
disposal of such net investment. 

Subsidiary financial statements expressed in their 
corresponding functional currencies are translated into US 
dollars by applying the exchange rate at period-end for assets 
and liabilities and the transaction date exchange rate for 
income statement items. The resulting difference on 
consolidation is included as a cumulative translation adjustment 
in equity. On disposal of a foreign operation, the component of 
OCI relating to that particular foreign operation is reclassified to 
profit or loss.

(f)  Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost or deemed 
cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 
Cost comprises its purchase price and directly attributable 
costs of acquisition or construction required to bring the asset 
to the condition necessary for the asset to be capable of 
operating in the manner intended by management. Economical 
and physical conditions of assets have not changed 
substantially over this period. 

The cost less residual value of each item of property, plant and 
equipment is depreciated over its useful life. Each item’s 
estimated useful life has been assessed with regard to both its 
own physical life limitations and the present assessment of 
economically recoverable reserves and resources of the mine 
property at which the item is located. Estimates of remaining 
useful lives are made on a regular basis for all mine buildings, 
machinery and equipment, with annual reassessments for major 
items. Depreciation is charged to cost of production on a units of 
production basis for mine buildings and installations and plant 
and equipment used in the mining production process, or 
charged directly to the income statement over the estimated 
useful life of the individual asset on a straight-line basis when 
not related to the mining production process. Changes in 
estimates, which mainly affect units of production calculations, 
are accounted for prospectively. Depreciation commences when 
assets are available for use. Land is not depreciated. 

An asset’s carrying amount is written-down immediately to its 
recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater 
than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the 
net proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised 
within other income/expenses, in the income statement. 

The expected useful lives under the straight-line method are 
as follows: 

Buildings

Plant and equipment

Vehicles

Years

3 to 33

5 to 10

5

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or 
construction of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial 
period of time to be ready for its intended use are capitalised as 
part of the cost of the asset. All other borrowing costs are 
expensed where incurred. For borrowings associated with a 
specific asset, the actual rate on that borrowing is used. 
Otherwise, a weighted average cost of borrowing is used. The 
Group capitalises the borrowing costs related to qualifying 
assets with a value of US$1,000,000 or more, considering that 
the substantial period of time to be ready is six or more months.

Mining properties and development costs 
Purchased mining properties are recognised as assets at their 
cost of acquisition or at fair value if purchased as part of a 
business combination. Costs associated with developments of 
mining properties are capitalised.

Mine development costs are, upon commencement of 
commercial production, depreciated using the units of 
production method based on the estimated economically 
recoverable reserves and resources to which they relate. 

When a mine construction project moves into the production 
stage, the capitalisation of certain mine construction costs 
ceases and costs are either regarded as part of the cost of 
inventory or expensed, except for costs which qualify for 
capitalisation relating to mining asset additions or 
improvements, underground mine development or mineable 
reserve development. In addition, the revenue generated from 
the sale of the inventory produced during the pre-operating 
stage is recognised as a deduction of the costs capitalised for 
this project.

Construction in progress and capital advances
Assets in the course of construction are capitalised as a 
separate component of property, plant and equipment. Once 
the asset moves into the production phase, the cost of 
construction is transferred to the appropriate category. 
Construction in progress is not depreciated. 

Subsequent expenditure 
Expenditure incurred to replace a component of an item of 
property, plant and equipment is capitalised separately with the 
carrying amount of the component being written-off. Other 
subsequent expenditure is capitalised if future economic 
benefits will arise from the expenditure. All other expenditure 
including repairs and maintenance expenditures is recognised 
in the income statement as incurred. 

(g)  Evaluation and exploration assets
Evaluation and exploration expenses are capitalised when the 
future economic benefit of the project can reasonably be 
regarded as assured. Exploration and evaluation costs related 
to projects in the development phase are capitalised as assets 
from the date that the Board authorises management to 
conduct a feasibility study. 

Expenditure is transferred to mine development costs once the 
work completed to date supports the future development of the 
property and such development receives appropriate approval.

Costs incurred in converting inferred resources to indicated and 
measured resources (of which reserves are a component) are 
capitalised as incurred. Costs incurred in identifying inferred 
resources are expensed as incurred. 

(h)  Determination of ore reserves and resources 
The Group estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources 
based on information compiled by internal competent persons. 
Reports to support these estimates are prepared each year and 
are stated in conformity with the 2012 Joint Ore Reserves 
Committee (JORC) code.

It is the Group’s policy to have the report audited annually by a 
Competent Person. Reserves and resources are used in the units 
of production calculation for depreciation as well as the 
determination of the timing of mine closure cost and 
impairment analysis. 

(i)  Investment in associates 
An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant 
influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the 
financial and operating policy decisions of the investee, but is 
not control or joint control over those policies. 

The considerations made in determining significant influence 
are similar to those necessary to determine control over 
subsidiaries. The Group’s investment in its associate is 
accounted for using the equity method.

Under the equity method, the investment in an associate 
is initially recognised at cost. The carrying amount of the 
investment is adjusted to recognise changes in the Group’s 
share of net assets of the associate since the acquisition 
date Goodwill relating to the associate is included in the 
carrying amount of the investment and is not tested for 
impairment separately.

The statement of profit or loss reflects the Group’s share of the 
results of operations of the associate. Any change in OCI of 
those investees is presented as part of the Group’s OCI. In 
addition, when there has been a change recognised directly in 
the equity of the associate, the Group recognises its share of 
any changes, when applicable, in the statement of changes in 
equity. Unrealised gains and losses resulting from transactions 
between the Group and the associate are eliminated to the 
extent of the interest in the associate.

The aggregate of the Group’s share of profit or loss of an 
associate is shown on the face of the statement of profit or loss 
outside operating profit and represents profit or loss after tax 
and non-controlling interests in the subsidiaries of the associate.

The financial statements of the associate are prepared for the 
same reporting period as the Group. When necessary, 
adjustments are made to bring the accounting policies in line 
with those of the Group.

After application of the equity method, the Group determines 
whether it is necessary to recognise an impairment loss on its 
investment in its associate. At each reporting date, the Group 
determines whether there is objective evidence that the 
investment in the associate is impaired. If there is such evidence, 
the Group calculates the amount of impairment as the 
difference between the recoverable amount of the investment 
and its carrying value, and then recognises the loss within ‘Share 
of profit of an associate’ in the statement of profit or loss.

Upon loss of significant influence over the associate, the Group 
measures and recognises any retained investment at its fair 
value. Any difference between the carrying amount of the 
associate upon loss of significant influence and the fair value 
of the retained investment and proceeds from disposal is 
recognised in profit or loss.

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2  Significant accounting policies continued 
(j)  Intangible assets
Right to use energy of transmission line
Transmission line costs represent the investment made by the 
Group to construct the transmission line on behalf of the 
government to be granted the right to use it. This is an asset with a 
finite useful life equal to that of the mine to which it relates and that 
is amortised applying the units of production method for that mine. 

The recoverable values of the CGUs are determined using 
a FVLCD methodology. FVLCD was determined using a 
combination of level 2 and level 3 inputs. The FVLCD of the 
producing and developing stage mine assets is determined 
using a discounted cash flow model (note 16) and for the 
exploration projects is based on the value-in-situ methodology 
(notes 17 and 18(2)), to estimate the amount that would be paid 
by a willing third party in an arm’s length transaction. 

Reversal of impairment 
An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in 
the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An 
impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s 
carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that 
would have been determined, net of depreciation or 
amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised. 

(l)  Inventories 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. 
Cost is determined using the weighted average method. 

The cost of work in progress and finished goods (ore inventories) 
is based on the cost of production. For this purpose, the costs of 
production include:

 – costs, materials and contractor expenses which are directly 

attributable to the extraction and processing of ore;

 – depreciation of property, plant and equipment used in 

the extraction and processing of ore; and

 – related production overheads (based on normal 

operating capacity).

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary 
course of business, less applicable variable selling expenses.

(m)  Trade and other receivables 
Current trade receivables are carried at the original invoice 
amount less provision made for impairment of these receivables. 
Non-current receivables are stated at amortised cost. A 
provision for impairment of trade receivables is established 
using the expected credit loss impairment model according to 
IFRS 9. The amount of the provision is the difference between 
the carrying amount and the recoverable amount and this 
difference is recognised in the income statement. The 
revaluation of provisionally priced contracts stated in 2(q) 
is recorded as trade receivables.

(n)  Share capital 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Any excess above the 
par value of shares received upon issuance of those shares is 
classified as share premium. In the case the excess above par 
value is available for distribution, it is classified as merger 
reserve and then transferred to retained earnings.

Water permits
Water permits are recorded at cost and allow the Group to 
withdraw a specified amount of water from the ground for 
reasonable, beneficial uses. This is an asset with an indefinite 
useful life.

Legal rights
Legal rights correspond to expenditures required to give the 
Group the right to use a property for the surface exploration 
work, development and production. This is an asset with a finite 
useful life equal to that of the mine to which it relates and that 
is amortised applying the units of production method for 
that mine.

Other intangible assets 
Other intangible assets are primarily computer software which 
are capitalised at cost and are amortised on a straight-line 
basis over their useful life of three years.

(k)  Impairment of non-financial assets 
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to 
amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. 

The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment and 
evaluation and exploration assets are reviewed for impairment if 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
value may not be recoverable. If there are indicators of 
impairment, an exercise is undertaken to determine whether the 
carrying values are in excess of their recoverable amount. Such 
review is undertaken on an asset by asset basis, except where 
such assets do not generate cash flows independent of other 
assets, and then the review is undertaken at the cash-
generating unit level. 

The assessment requires the use of estimates and assumptions 
such as long-term commodity prices, discount rates, future 
capital requirements, and reserves and resources volumes 
(reflected in the production volume). Changes in these 
assumptions will affect the recoverable amount of the property, 
plant and equipment and evaluation and exploration assets.

If the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit 
(CGU) exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment 
provision is recorded to reflect the asset at the lower amount. 
Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement. 

Calculation of recoverable amount 
The recoverable amount of assets is the greater of their value in 
use (VIU) and fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD) to sell. 
FVLCD is based on an estimate of the amount that the Group 
may obtain in a sale transaction on an arm’s length basis. VIU is 
based on estimated future cash flows discounted to their 
present value using a discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to 
the asset. For an asset that does not generate cash inflows 
largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable 
amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the 
asset belongs. 

(o)  Provisions 
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is 
probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle 
the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the 
amount of the obligation. If the effect of the time value of 
money is material, provisions are determined by discounting the 
expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current 
market assessments of the time value of money and, where 
appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting 
is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time 
is recognised as a finance cost. 

Mine closure cost 
Provisions for mine closure costs are made in respect of 
the estimated future costs of closure and restoration and 
for environmental rehabilitation costs (which include the 
dismantling and demolition of infrastructure, removal of residual 
materials and remediation of disturbed areas) in the accounting 
period when the related environmental disturbance occurs. 
The provision is discounted and the unwinding of the discount is 
included in finance costs. At the time of establishing the provision, 
a corresponding asset is capitalised and is depreciated over 
future production from the mine to which it relates. The provision 
is reviewed on an annual basis for changes in cost estimates, 
discount rates and operating lives of the mines. 

Changes to estimated future costs are recognised in the 
statement of financial position by adjusting the mine closure 
cost liability and the related asset originally recognised. If, for 
mature mines, the related mine assets net of mine closure cost 
provisions exceed the recoverable value, that portion of the 
increase is charged directly to the income statement. Similarly, if 
reductions to the estimated costs exceed the carrying value of 
the mine asset, that portion of the decrease is credited directly 
to the income statement. For closed sites, changes to estimated 
costs are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Workers’ profit sharing and other employee benefits 
In accordance with Peruvian legislation, companies in Peru must 
provide for workers’ profit sharing equivalent to 8% of taxable 
income in each year. This amount is charged to the income 
statement within personnel expenses (note 10) and is 
considered deductible for income tax purposes. The Group 
has no pension or retirement benefit schemes. 

Other 
Other provisions are accounted for when the Group has a 
legal or constructive obligation for which it is probable there 
will be an outflow of resources for which the amount can be 
reliably estimated. 

(p)  Share-based payments
Cash-settled transactions
The fair value of cash-settled share plans is recognised as a 
liability over the vesting period of the awards. Movements in that 
liability between reporting dates are recognised as personnel 
expenses. The fair value of the awards is taken to be the market 
value of the shares at the date of award adjusted by a factor for 
anticipated relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 
performance. Fair values are subsequently remeasured at each 
reporting date to reflect the number of awards expected to vest 
based on the current and anticipated TSR performance. 

Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair 
value at the date when the grant is made using an appropriate 
valuation model and is recognised, together with a 
corresponding increase in other reserves in equity, over the 
period in which the performance and/or service conditions are 
fulfilled. The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled 
transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date 
reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and 
the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments 
that vest. The income statement expense for a period 
represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as 
at the beginning and end of that period and is recognised in 
personnel expenses (note 10). 

Service and non-market performance conditions are not 
taken into account when determining the grant date fair value 
of awards, but the likelihood of the conditions being met is 
assessed as part of the Group’s best estimate of the number of 
equity instruments that will ultimately vest. Market performance 
conditions are reflected within the grant date fair value. Any 
other conditions attached to an award, but without an 
associated service requirement, are considered to be non-
vesting conditions. Non-vesting conditions are reflected in the 
fair value of an award and lead to an immediate expensing of 
an award unless there are also service and/or performance 
conditions. No expense is recognised for awards that do not 
ultimately vest because non-market performance and/or 
service conditions have not been met. Where awards include a 
market or non-vesting condition, the transactions are treated 
as vested irrespective of whether the market or non-vesting 
condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/
or service conditions are satisfied. When the terms of an 
equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense 
recognised is the grant date fair value of the unmodified award, 
provided the original vesting terms of the award are met. An 
additional expense, measured as at the date of modification, 
is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair 
value of the share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise 
beneficial to the employee. Where an award is cancelled by 
the entity or by the counterparty, any remaining element of 
the fair value of the award is expensed immediately through 
profit or loss.

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Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Significant accounting policies continued 
(q)  Revenue recognition 
The Group is involved in the production and sale of gold and 
silver from dore and concentrate containing both gold and silver. 
Dore bars are either sold directly to customers or are sent to a 
third party for further refining into gold and silver before they 
are sold. Concentrate is sold directly to customers.

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when 
control of the goods or services is transferred to the customer at 
an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group 
expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. 
Revenue excludes any applicable sales taxes.

The revenue is subject to adjustment based on inspection of the 
product by the customer. Revenue is initially recognised on a 
provisional basis using the Group’s best estimate of contained 
gold and silver. Any subsequent adjustments to the initial 
estimate of metal content are recorded in revenue once they 
have been determined. 

In addition, certain sales are ‘provisionally priced’ where the 
selling price is subject to final adjustment at the end of a period, 
normally ranging from 15 to 120 days after the start of the 
delivery process to the customer, based on the market price at 
the relevant quotation point stipulated in the contract. Revenue 
is initially recognised when the conditions set out above have 
been met, using market prices at that date. The price exposure 
is considered to be an adjustment and hence separated from 
the sales contract at each reporting date. The provisionally 
priced metal is revalued based on the forward selling price for 
the quotational period stipulated in the contract until the 
quotational period ends. The selling price of gold and silver can 
be measured reliably as these metals are actively traded on 
international exchanges. The revaluation of provisionally priced 
contracts is recorded as revenue. 

A proportion of the Group’s sales are sold under CIF Incoterms, 
whereby the Group is responsible for providing freight/shipping 
services (as principal) after the date that the Group transfers 
control of the metal in concentrate to its customers. The Group, 
therefore, has separate performance obligations for freight/
shipping services which are provided solely to facilitate sale of 
the commodities it produces.

Other Incoterms commonly used by the Group are FOB, where 
the Group has no responsibility for freight or insurance once 
control of the products has passed at the loading port, and 
Delivered at Place (DAP), where control of the goods passes 
when the product is delivered to the agreed destination. For 
arrangements which have these Incoterms, the only 
performance obligations are the provision of the product at 
the point where control passes. 

For CIF arrangements, the transaction price (as determined 
above) is allocated to the metal in concentrate and freight/
shipping services using the relative stand-alone selling price 
method. Under these arrangements, a portion of consideration 
may be received from the customer in cash at, or around, the 
date of shipment under a provisional invoice. Therefore, some of 
the upfront consideration that relates to the freight/shipping 
services yet to be provided is deferred. It is then recognised as 
revenue over time using an output method (being days of 
shipping/transportation elapsed) to measure progress towards 
complete satisfaction of the service as this best represents the 
Group’s performance. This is on the basis that the customer 
simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by 
the Group as the services are being provided. The costs 
associated with these freight/shipping services are also 
recognised over the same period of time as incurred. 

Income from services provided to related parties (note 32) is 
recognised in revenue when services are provided. 

Deferred revenue results when cash is received in advance of 
revenue being earned. Deferred revenue is recorded as a liability 
until it is earned. Once earned, the liability is reduced and 
revenue is recorded. The Group analyses when revenue is 
earned or deferred.

(r)  Contingencies 
A contingent liability is a possible obligation depending on 
whether some uncertain future event occurs, or a present 
obligation where payment is not probable or the amount cannot 
be measured reliably. Contingent liabilities are not recognised in 
the financial statements and are disclosed in notes to the 
financial statements unless their occurrence is remote. 

A contingent asset is a possible asset that arises from past 
events, and whose existence will be confirmed only by the 
occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future 
events not wholly within the control of the entity. Contingent 
assets are not recognised in the financial statements, but are 
disclosed in the notes if their recovery is deemed probable.

(s)  Finance income and costs 
Finance income and costs comprise interest expense on 
borrowings, the accumulation of interest on provisions, interest 
income on funds invested, unwind of discount, and gains and 
losses from the change in fair value of derivative instruments. 

Interest income is recognised as it accrues, taking into account 
the effective yield on the asset. 

(t)  Income tax 
Income tax for the year comprises current and deferred tax. 
Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to the 
extent that it relates to items charged or credited directly to 
equity, in which case it is recognised in equity. 

Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable 
income for the year, using tax rates enacted at the statement of 
financial position date, and any adjustment to tax payable in 
respect of previous years. 

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability 
method, providing for temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes, with the 
following exceptions:

 – where the temporary difference arises from the initial 
recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a 
transaction that is not a business combination that at the time 
of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable 
profit or loss; and 

 – in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with 

investments in subsidiaries and associates, where the timing of 
the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled 
and it is probable that the temporary differences will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates 
that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled based on the tax rates (and tax 
laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
statement of financial position date. 

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable profits will be available against 
which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced 
to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax 
benefit will be realised. 

(u)  Uncertain tax positions 
An estimated tax liability is recognised when the Group has a 
present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that 
the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a 
reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. 
The liability is the best estimate of the consideration required 
to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, 
taking into account risks and uncertainties surrounding the 
obligation. Separate liabilities for interest and penalties are 
also recorded if appropriate. 

(w)  Financial instruments 
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a 
financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity 
instrument of another entity.

Financial assets
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as 
subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through 
other comprehensive income (OCI), and fair value through 
profit or loss.

Movements in interest and penalty amounts in respect of 
tax liability are not included in the tax charge, but are 
disclosed in the income statement. Tax liabilities are based on 
management’s interpretation of country-specific tax law and 
the likelihood of settlement. This involves a significant amount 
of judgement as tax legislation can be complex and open to 
different interpretation. Management uses in-house tax 
experts, professional firms and previous experience when 
assessing tax risks. Where actual tax liabilities differ from the 
liabilities, adjustments are made which can have a material 
impact on the Group’s profits for the year. Refer to note 36(a) 
for specific tax contingencies. 

(v)  Leases 
Right-of-use assets
The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the 
commencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying 
asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at 
cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, 
and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost 
of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities 
recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments 
made at or before the commencement date less any lease 
incentives received. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over 
the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term on a 
straight-line basis. Right-of-use assets are subject to 
impairment.

Lease liabilities
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises 
lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments 
to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include 
fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less 
any lease incentives receivable, and amounts expected to be 
paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also 
include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably 
certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties 
for terminating a lease, if the lease term reflects the Group 
exercising the option to terminate. The variable lease payments 
are recognised as expense in the period in which the event or 
condition that triggers the payment occurs.

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the 
Group uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease 
commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is 
not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the 
amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of 
interest, and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, 
the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a 
modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the 
in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the 
assessment to purchase the underlying asset.

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption 
to its short-term leases of machinery and equipment (i.e., those 
leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the 
commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It 
also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption 
to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value 
(i.e., below US$5,000). Lease payments on short-term leases and 
leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term. 

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition 
depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow 
characteristics and the Group’s business model for 
managing them. 

The Group’s business model for managing financial assets 
refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate 
cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows 
will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the 
financial assets, or both.

Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery 
of assets within a time frame established by regulation or 
convention in the market place (regular way trades) are 
recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Group 
commits to purchase or sell the asset.

Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, the Group’s financial 
assets are classified in the following categories:

 – Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)

The Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if both 
of the following conditions are met:

 – The financial asset is held within a business model with the 

objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual 
cash flows, and

 – The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on 

specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding

Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured 
using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to 
impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss 
when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.

The Group’s financial assets at amortised cost includes 
trade receivables.

 – Financial assets designated at fair value through OCI 

(equity instruments)

Upon initial recognition, the Group can elect to classify 
irrevocably its equity investments as equity instruments 
designated at fair value through OCI when they meet the 
definition of equity under IAS 32 Financial Instruments: 
Presentation and are not held for trading. The classification is 
determined on an instrument-by-instrument basis.

Financial assets designated at fair value through OCI are 
carried in the statement of financial position at fair value 
with net changes in fair value recognised in the OCI. Gains 
and losses on these financial assets are never recycled to 
profit or loss. Dividends are recognised as other income in the 
statement of profit or loss when the right of payment has 
been established, except when the Group benefits from such 
proceeds as a recovery of part of the cost of the financial 
asset, in which case, such gains are recorded in OCI. Equity 
instruments designated at fair value through OCI are not 
subject to impairment assessment.

 146  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 147  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Significant accounting policies continued 
The Group has listed and non-listed equity investments under 
this category. 

Subsequent measurement
The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their 
classification, as described below:

 – Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 – Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include 
financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated 
upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss, or 
financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair 
value. Financial assets are classified as held for trading if they 
are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the 
near term. Derivatives, including separated embedded 
derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are 
designated as effective hedging instruments. Financial assets 
with cash flows that are not solely payments of principal and 
interest are classified and measured at fair value through profit 
or loss, irrespective of the business model. Notwithstanding the 
criteria for debt instruments to be classified at amortised cost or 
at fair value through OCI, as described above, debt instruments 
may be designated at fair value through profit or loss on initial 
recognition if doing so eliminates, or significantly reduces, an 
accounting mismatch.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in 
the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in 
fair value recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

The Group has listed equity investments and embedded 
derivatives under this category. Dividends on listed equity 
investments are also recognised as other income in the 
statement of profit or loss when the right of payment has 
been established.

Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset 
or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily 
derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group’s consolidated 
statement of financial position) when:

 – the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

 – the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from 
the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received 
cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under 
a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Group has 
transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, 
or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained 
substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has 
transferred control of the asset.

Impairment of financial assets
The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses 
(ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through 
profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the 
contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and 
all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted 
at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. 

For trade receivables, the Group applies a simplified approach 
in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track 
changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance 
based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date.

Financial liabilities
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as 
financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and 
borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging 
instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in 
the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly 
attributable transaction costs.

The Group’s financial liabilities include trade and other 
payables, loans and borrowings including bank overdrafts, and 
derivative financial instruments.

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include 
financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities 
designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through 
profit or loss.

 – Loans and borrowings

This is the category most relevant to the Group. After initial 
recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR 
method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when 
the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR 
amortisation process.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any 
discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are 
an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included in 
finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.

This category generally applies to interest-bearing loans 
and borrowings. 

Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under 
the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an 
existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same 
lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an 
existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or 
modification is treated as the derecognition of the original 
liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in 
the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement 
of profit or loss.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
In 2020, the Group used interest rate swaps to hedge certain of 
its cash flows from loans against interest rate risk. The interest 
rate swap was settled in September 2021. In addition, in 2021 
the Group signed silver forward agreements. The silver forward 
is being used to hedge the exposure to changes in the cash 
flows of the silver commodity prices. Consequently, the Group 
has opted to apply hedge accounting under the requirements of 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. 

Initial recognition and subsequent measurement
These derivative financial instruments were initially recognised 
at fair value on the date on which the derivative contract was 
entered into and were subsequently remeasured at fair value. 
Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is 
positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.

For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as 
cash flow hedges when hedging the exposure to variability in 
cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk 
associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly 
probable forecast transaction or the foreign currency risk in an 
unrecognised firm commitment. 

At the inception of a hedge relationship, the Group formally 
designates and documents the hedge relationship to which it 
wishes to apply hedge accounting and the risk management 
objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. 

The documentation includes identification of the hedging 
instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being 
hedged and how the Group will assess whether the hedging 
relationship meets the hedge effectiveness requirements 
(including the analysis of sources of hedge ineffectiveness and 
how the hedge ratio is determined). A hedging relationship 
qualifies for hedge accounting if it meets all of the following 
effectiveness requirements: 

(aa)  Fair value measurement
The Group measures financial instruments, such as derivatives, 
at each statement of financial position date.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or 
paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date. The fair value 
measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction 
to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

 – in the principal market for the asset or liability; or

 – in the absence of a principal market, in the most 
advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The principal or the most advantageous market must be 
accessible by the Group.

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the 
assumptions that market participants would use when pricing 
the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in 
their best economic interest.

A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into 
account a market participant’s ability to generate economic 
benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by 
selling it to another market participant that would use the asset 
in its highest and best use. The Group uses valuation techniques 
that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which 
sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximising 
the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of 
unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or 
disclosed in the financial statements are categorised within the 
fair value hierarchy, as described in notes 26 and 37(e).

For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the financial 
statements on a recurring basis at fair value, the Group 
determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in 
the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the 
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value 
measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

The Group determines the policies and procedures for both 
recurring fair value measurement and unquoted financial 
assets, and for non-recurring measurement.

At each reporting date, the Group analyses the movements in the 
values of assets and liabilities which are required to be re-
measured or re-assessed as per the Group’s accounting policies. 
For this analysis, the Group verifies the major inputs applied in the 
latest valuation by agreeing the information in the valuation 
computation to contracts and other relevant documents.

The Group, in conjunction with its external valuers where 
applicable, also compares the changes in the fair value of each 
asset and liability with relevant external sources to determine 
whether the change is reasonable.

For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Group has 
determined classes of assets and liabilities on the basis of the 
nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the 
level of the fair value hierarchy as explained above.

 – There is ‘an economic relationship’ between the hedged item 

and the hedging instrument. 

 – The effect of credit risk does not ‘dominate the value changes’ 

that result from that economic relationship. 

 – The hedge ratio of the hedging relationship is the same as that 
resulting from the quantity of the hedged item that the Group 
actually hedges and the quantity of the hedging instrument 
that the Group actually uses to hedge that quantity of 
hedged item.

Cash flow hedges
Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash 
flow hedges, which are held to hedge the exposure to variability 
in cash flows of the hedged items, are recognised in other 
components of equity until changes in the fair value of the 
hedged item are recognised in profit or loss. However, the 
ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of such 
derivatives is recognised in profit or loss. The Group uses 
cash flow hedges for hedging the exposure to variability in 
silver prices.

The amounts that have been recognised in other components of 
equity relating to such hedging instruments are reclassified to 
profit or loss when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss. 

(x)  Dividend distribution 
Dividends on the Company’s ordinary shares are recognised 
when they have been appropriately authorised and are no 
longer at the Company’s discretion. Accordingly, interim 
dividends are recognised when they are paid and final dividends 
are recognised when they are declared following approval by 
shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting.

(y)  Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents are carried in the statement of 
financial position at cost. For the purposes of the statement of 
financial position, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on 
hand and deposits held with banks that are readily convertible 
into known amounts of cash and which are subject to 
insignificant risk of changes in value. For the purposes of the 
cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents, as defined 
above, are shown net of outstanding bank overdrafts. 

Liquidity funds are classified as cash equivalents if the 
amount of cash that will be received is known at the time 
of the initial investment and the risk of changes in value is 
considered insignificant. 

(z)  Exceptional items 
Exceptional items are those significant items which, due to their 
nature or the expected infrequency of the events giving rise to 
them, need to be disclosed separately on the face of the income 
statement to enable a better understanding of the financial 
performance of the Group and facilitate comparison with prior 
years. Exceptional items mainly include:

 – impairments or write-offs of assets, property, plant and 

equipment and evaluation and exploration assets;

 – incremental cost due to pandemics which are not expected to 

be recurring;

 – gains or losses arising on the disposal of subsidiaries, 

investments or property, plant and equipment;

 – any gain or loss resulting from restructuring within the Group; 

 – the impact of infrequent labour action related to work 

stoppages in mine units;

 – the penalties generated by the early termination of 
agreements with providers or lenders of the Group;

 – the reversal of an accumulation of prior year’s tax expenses 
that resulted from an agreement with the government; and

 – the related tax impact of the above items.

 148  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 149  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
Year ended 31 December 2020

Revenue from external customers

Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue from customers

Provisional pricing adjustment

Total revenue 

Segment profit/(loss) 

Others2

Profit from continuing operations before income tax

Other segment information

Depreciation3

Amortisation

Impairment and write-off of assets, net

Assets

Capital expenditure

Current assets

Other non-current assets

Total segment assets

Not reportable assets4

Total assets

Inmaculada 
US$000

San Jose 
US$000

Pallancata 
US$000

Exploration 
US$000

Other1 
US$000

Adjustment 
and 
eliminations 
US$000

Total  
US$000 

314,742

199,803

96,134

–

–

–

314,742

199,803

96,134

164

6,295

4,540

314,906

206,098

100,674

–

–

–

–

–

149

6,918

7,067

–

–

610,828

(6,918)

–

(6,918)

610,828

–

10,999

7,067

(6,918)

621,827

129,103

47,290

3,989

(33,436)

5,699

(1,773)

150,872

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(54,522)

(31,238)

(28,969)

(82)

(535)

(552)

7,750

–

(221)

(406)

(442)

(720)

(3,734)

(39)

(49)

62,128

23,030

7,399

12,772

2,595

14,613

43,735

24,692

–

516,505

166,887

33,784

232,135

531,118

210,622

58,476

232,135

4,675

52,037

56,712

–

–

–

–

276,998

531,118

210,622

58,476

232,135

333,710

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(87,952)

62,920

(118,869)

(1,115)

6,225

107,924

87,715

– 1,001,348

– 1,089,063

–

276,998

– 1,366,061

‘Other’ revenue relates to revenues earned by Empresa de Transmisión Aymaraes S.A.C.

1 
2   Comprised of administrative expenses of US$43,282,000, other income of US$3,617,000, other expenses of US$32,518,000, write-off of assets (net) of US$2,078,000, reversal of 

impairment of non-current assets of US$8,303,000, finance income of US$4,197,000, finance expense of US$23,560,000, and foreign exchange loss of US$2,631,000.

3  Includes depreciation capitalised in the Crespo project (US$768,000), San Jose unit (US$1,349,000) and products in process (US$168,000).
4   Not reportable assets are comprised of financial assets at fair value through OCI of US$402,000, financial assets at fair value through profit and loss of US$5,407,000, other 

receivables of US$38,238,000, income tax receivable of US$59,000, deferred income tax asset of US$1,009,000, and cash and cash equivalents of US$231,883,000.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

3  Segment reporting
The Group’s activities are principally related to mining operations which involve the exploration, production and sale of gold and 
silver. Products are subject to the same risks and returns and are sold through similar distribution channels. The Group undertakes 
a number of activities solely to support mining operations including power generation and services. Transfer prices between 
segments are set at an arm’s length basis in a manner similar to that used for third parties. Segment revenue, segment expense and 
segment results include transfers between segments at market prices. Those transfers are eliminated on consolidation. 

For internal reporting purposes, management takes decisions and assesses the performance of the Group through consideration of 
the following reporting segments:

 – Operating unit – San Jose, which generates revenue from the sale of gold and silver (dore and concentrate).

 – Operating unit – Pallancata, which generates revenue from the sale of gold and silver (concentrate). 

 – Operating unit – Inmaculada, which generates revenue from the sale of gold and silver (dore). 

 – Exploration, which explores and evaluates areas of interest in brownfield and greenfield sites with the aim of extending the life of 
mine of existing operations and to assess the feasibility of new mines. The exploration segment includes costs charged to the 
profit and loss and capitalised as assets.

 – Other – includes the profit or loss generated by Empresa de Transmisión Aymaraes S.A.C.

The Group’s administration, financing, other activities (including other income and expense) and income taxes are managed at a 
corporate level and are not allocated to operating segments. 

Segment information is consistent with the accounting policies adopted by the Group. Management evaluates the financial 
information based on the adopted IFRS accounting policies in the financial statements.

The Group measures the performance of its operating units by the segment profit or loss that comprises gross profit, selling 
expenses and exploration expenses.

Segment assets include items that could be allocated directly to the segment. 

(a)  Reportable segment information

Year ended 31 December 2021

Revenue from external customers

Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue from customers

Provisional pricing adjustment

Total revenue 

Segment profit/(loss) 

Others2

Profit from continuing operations before income tax

Other segment information

Depreciation3

Amortisation

Impairment and write-off of assets, net

Assets

Capital expenditure

Current assets

Other non-current assets

Total segment assets

Not reportable assets4

Total assets

Inmaculada 
US$000

San Jose 
US$000

Pallancata 
US$000

Exploration 
US$000

Other1 
US$000

Adjustment 
and 
eliminations 
US$000

Total  
US$000 

452,849

260,879

103,809

–

–

–

452,849

260,879

103,809

(14)

(1,907)

(4,693)

452,835

258,972

99,116

–

–

–

–

–

464

9,225

9,689

–

–

818,001

(9,225)

–

(9,225)

818,001

–

(6,614)

9,689

(9,225)

811,387

226,727

52,614

343

(40,520)

7,345

(684)

245,825

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(75,524)

(51,217)

(22,618)

(108)

(326)

(852)

(354)

–

(24,940)

(396)

(107)

–

(5,795)

(51)

(89)

76,512

43,666

14,250

15,896

3,537

20,182

43,473

515,943

157,749

9,072

3,241

–

155,702

536,125

201,222

12,313

155,702

4,230

46,882

51,112

–

–

–

–

498,241

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(108,494)

137,331

(155,550)

(1,118)

(25,709)

153,861

76,957

879,517

956,474

498,241

536,125

201,222

12,313

155,702

549,353

– 1,454,715

‘Other’ revenue relates to revenues earned by Empresa de Transmisión Aymaraes S.A.C.

1 
2   Comprised of administrative expenses of US$51,905,000, other income of US$45,896,000, other expenses of US$46,068,000, write-off of assets (net) of US$863,000, impairment of 

non-current assets of US$24,846,000, share of losses of an associate of US$169,000, finance income of US$3,946,000, finance expense of US$32,061,000, and foreign exchange loss 
of US$2,424,000.

3   Includes depreciation capitalised in the Crespo project (US$430,000), San Jose unit (US$2,341,000), products in process (US$509,000) and recognised against the mine 

rehabilitation provision (US$1,978,000).

4   Not reportable assets are comprised of financial assets at fair value through OCI of US$661,000, financial assets at fair value through profit and loss of US$3,155,000, other 

receivables of US$44,446,000, income tax receivable of US$32,000, deferred income tax asset of US$484,000, investment in associates of US$43,559,000, derivative financial assets 
of US$19,115,000 and cash and cash equivalents of US$386,789,000.

 150  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 151  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

3  Segment reporting continued
(b)  Geographical information
The revenue for the period based on the country in which the customer is located is as follows:

External customer 

Switzerland 

Canada 

Korea

Germany 

Japan

Chile

United Kingdom

Bulgaria

USA 

Peru 

Total 

Inter-segment 

Peru 

Total 

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

360,838

213,350

135,162

47,014

26,151

13,184

7,982

4,703

–

3,003

811,387

9,225

820,612

236,455

138,795

150,094

60,299

13,264

10,872

–

9,311

2,994

(257)

621,827

6,918

628,745

In the periods set out below, certain customers accounted for greater than 10% of the Group’s total revenues as detailed in the 
following table:

Argor Heraus

LS Nikko

Asahi Refining Canada

MKS Switzerland S.A.

Year ended 31 December 2021

Year ended 31 December 2020

US$000

% Revenue

Segment

US$000

% Revenue

Segment

208,037

135,162

198,254

152,801

Inmaculada 
and San Jose

Pallancata 
and San Jose

26%

17%

24% Inmaculada

19% Inmaculada

176,543

150,094

121,048

59,912

Inmaculada 
and San Jose

Pallancata 
and San Jose

Inmaculada

Inmaculada

28%

24%

19%

10%

Non-current assets, excluding financial instruments and deferred income tax assets, were allocated to the geographical areas in 
which the assets are located as follows:

Peru 

Argentina 

Chile 

Canada

Total non-current segment assets 

Financial assets at fair value through OCI

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

Investment in associates

Trade and other receivables

Deferred income tax assets 

Derivative financial instruments

Total non-current assets 

4  Demerger of Aclara Resources Inc. (‘Aclara’)
Hochschild Mining Holdings Ltd (‘HM Holdings’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, had interests over a Chilean company 
named REE UNO SpA. This entity holds the project Aclara (formerly named Biolantanidos), which is located in the south of Chile, 
and is currently focused on the development of the Penco module, which will aim to produce a rare earth concentrate through a 
processing plant that will be fed by clays from nearby deposits. 

The Group wanted to separate the Aclara project from its other businesses dedicated to the extraction and production of gold and 
silver. For this purpose, a new company named Aclara Resources Inc. located in Canada (hereinafter, ‘Aclara’) was incorporated by 
the Group. The investment held in REE UNO SpA was then transferred to Aclara.

A distribution of 70,606,502 Aclara shares, representing 80% of the Aclara shares, was made to the holders of ordinary shares of the 
Group by way of a dividend in specie (the ‘Demerger Dividend’). The approval of the Group’s shareholders in respect of the 
Demerger Dividend was granted at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 5 November 2021. The Demerger Dividend was 
effected on 10 December 2021, shortly before the Aclara Initial Public Offering (‘IPO’) was completed later that day.

Once the Aclara IPO was completed, Aclara became an independent company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The ratio of Demerged Aclara shares to the number of ordinary shares in the Group was 70,606,502 to 513,875,563. Therefore, the 
shareholders who were entitled to receive the Demerger Dividend received 0.1374 Aclara shares for each ordinary share in the 
Group. The value of the Demerger Dividend is C$120,031,053 (equivalent to US$94,945,000) in aggregate based on the offering 
price of C$1.70 per Aclara share (the Offering Price).

HM Holdings retained 20% of the Aclara shares. The investment was recorded at initial recognition at fair value, based on the 
Offering Price. 

The fair value of the Demerger Dividend at the date of the demerger and retained investment is therefore a level 1 fair 
value measurement.

Immediately following the Demerger Dividend and pursuant to the subscription agreement with Aclara dated 2 December 2021, HM 
Holdings purchased 14,870,397 Aclara shares at the Offering Price for aggregate gross proceeds to Aclara of C$25,279,675 
(equivalent to US$19,996,000).

The consolidated effect in the financial statements of the Group is an exceptional gain of US$37,461,000 presented within 
other income.

Details of the net gain on demerger of Aclara are shown below:

Property, plant and equipment

Evaluation and exploration assets

Other non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Aclara net assets and liabilities demerged1

Net cash and cash equivalents demerged

Net cash outflow from demerger of Aclara

In specie dividends relating to Aclara demerger

Retained financial investments in associate (note 19)

Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve

Gain on demerger of Aclara

1  Considered in the exploration segment of the Group.

879,517

1,001,348

Net assets demerged

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

665,839

157,750

55,922

6

2020 
US$000

699,121

166,887

135,340

–

661

3,155

43,559

2,470

484

5,042

402

5,407

–

5,395

1,009

–

934,888

1,013,561

On completion of the demerger, the Group retained a 20% interest in Aclara through the Aclara Resources Inc. investment company. 
An investment in associates of US$23,742,000 was recognised on the Group’s consolidated balance sheet in respect of this interest.

US$000

507

70,311

2,668

1,210

(3,465)

71,231

(553)

(553)

94,945

23,742

(71,231)

(9,995)

37,461

 152  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 153  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

5  Revenue 

Year ended 31 December 2021
Revenue from customers

Year ended 31 December 2020
Revenue from customers

Goods sold 
US$000 

Gold (from dore bars)

353,258

Silver (from dore bars)

207,022

Shipping 
services 
US$000

914

804

Total 
US$000

354,172

207,826

Provisional 
pricing 
US$000

Total 
US$000

Goods sold 
US$000 

40

354,212

(52)

207,774

255,142

101,195

Shipping 
services 
US$000

577

383

Total 
US$000

255,719

101,578

Provisional 
pricing 
US$000

Total 
US$000

144

255,863

62

101,640

Gold (from 
concentrates)

Silver (from 
concentrates)

Services

Total

100,233

2,462

102,695

912

103,607

109,816

2,447

112,263

1,956

114,219

150,140

2,704

152,844

(7,514)

145,330

138,669

2,450

141,119

8,837

149,956

464

–

464

–

464

149

–

149

–

149

811,117

6,884

818,001

(6,614)

811,387

604,971

5,857

610,828

10,999

621,827

6 Cost of sales before exceptional items
Included in cost of sales are:

Depreciation and amortisation in cost of sales1

Personnel expenses (note 10)2

Mining royalty (note 37)

Change in products in process and finished goods 

Fixed costs at the operations during stoppages, reduced capacity and excess absenteeism3

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

145,482

101,682

7,171

320

8,680

2020 
US$000

114,662

65,077

5,208

17,323

46,480

8 Exploration expenses

Mine site exploration1

Arcata

Ares

Inmaculada

Pallancata

San Jose

Prospects2

Peru

USA

Chile

Canada

Generative3

Peru

USA

Mexico

Chile

1  The depreciation and amortisation in production cost is US$148,842,000 (2020: US$113,146,000). 
2   Includes workers’ profit sharing of US$6,512,000 (2020: US$2,632,000) and excludes personnel expenses of US$7,607,000 (2020: US$32,117,000) included within unallocated fixed cost 

at the operations (see below). 

3   Corresponds to the unallocated fixed cost accumulated as a result of excess absenteeism (2020: during the stoppage and operation of the mine units under reduced operating 

capacity) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These costs mainly include personnel expenses of US$7,607,000 (2020: US$32,117,000), third-party services of US$995,000 (2020: 
US$8,948,000), supplies of US$nil (2020: US$1,698,000), depreciation and amortisation of US$nil (2020: US$1,818,000) and other costs of US$78,000 (2020: US$1,899,000). 

Personnel (note 10)

Others

Depreciation right-of-use assets

Total 

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

2,189

628

3,276

5,993

9,653

990

940

2,526

4,652

9,720

21,739

18,828

2,677

3,731

(53)

51

6,406

3,263

11

861

177

4,312

6,368

731

292

1,731

1,902

(211)

–

3,422

2,331

12

974

437

3,754

5,905

581

305

39,848

32,795

7 Administrative expenses 

Personnel expenses (note 10)

Professional fees 

Donations 

Lease rentals 

Third-party services 

Communications 

Indirect taxes 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Depreciation of rights of use

Technology and systems 

Security 

Other1

Total 

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

29,832

2020 
US$000

27,016

8,710

587

1,301

302

473

2,057

1,823

226

1,207

956

4,431

4,978

373

1,353

241

427

2,029

1,723

284

1,063

891

2,904

51,905

43,282

1 

 Predominantly relates to advertising costs of US$372,000 (2020: US$292,000), insurance fees of US$837,000 (2020: US$464,000), repair and maintenance of US$326,000 (2020: 
US$314,000), supplies costs of US$102,000 (2020: US$42,000), tax penalties of US$1,476,000 (2020: US$55,000), travel expenses of US$105,000 (2020: US$188,000) and personnel 
transportation of US$108,000 (2020: US$115,000).

1  Mine-site exploration is performed with the purpose of identifying potential minerals within an existing mine-site, with the goal of maintaining or extending the mine’s life. 
2   Prospects expenditure relates to detailed geological evaluations in order to determine zones which have mineralisation potential that is economically viable for exploration. 

Exploration expenses are generally incurred in the following areas: mapping, sampling, geophysics, identification of local targets and reconnaissance drilling. 

3   Generative expenditure is early stage exploration expenditure related to the basic evaluation of the region to identify prospect areas that have the geological conditions 

necessary to contain mineral deposits. Related activities include regional and field reconnaissance, satellite images, compilation of public information and identification of 
exploration targets. 

The Group determines the cash flows which relate to the exploration activities of the companies engaged only in exploration. 
Exploration activities incurred by Group operating companies are not included since it is not practicable to separate the liabilities 
related to the exploration activities of these companies from their operating liabilities. Cash outflows on exploration activities were 
US$12,163,000 in 2021 (2020: US$6,176,000). 

9 Selling expenses

Personnel expenses (note 10) 

Warehouse services

Taxes1

Other 

Total

1  Corresponds to the export duties in Argentina.

10 Personnel expenses

Salaries and wages

Workers’ profit sharing (note 28)

Other legal contributions 

Statutory holiday payments 

Long-Term Incentive Plan 

Termination benefits 

Other 

Total1

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

304

1,392

11,765

1,970

15,431

2020 
US$000

303

1,281

9,202

1,968

12,754

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

109,769

11,018

23,792

7,237

1,783

6,470

1,101

2020 
US$000

104,331

4,986

22,158

6,214

1,764

1,495

752

161,170

141,700

 154  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 155  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

1 

Includes exceptional personnel expenses amounting to US$2,745,000 (2020: US$4,595,000) (refer to note 11(1)).

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

10 Personnel expenses continued
Personnel expenses are distributed as follows:

Cost of sales1

Administrative expenses 

Exploration expenses 

Selling expenses 

Other expenses2

Capitalised as property, plant and equipment 

Total 

1   Exceptional personnel expenses included in cost of sales amount to US$2,324,000 (2020: US$4,210,000).
2   Exceptional personnel expenses included in other expenses amount to US$421,000 (2020: US$385,000).

The average numbers of employees for 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

Peru

Argentina

Chile 

United Kingdom 

Total

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

111,613

29,832

6,368

304

11,579

1,474

2020 
US$000

101,404

27,016

5,905

303

4,255

2,817

161,170

141,700

Year ended 31 December

2021

2,057

1,478

42

10

2020

1,897

1,432

13

10

3,587

3,352

11 Exceptional items 
Exceptional items are those significant items which, due to their nature or the expected infrequency of the events giving rise to them, 
need to be disclosed separately on the face of the income statement to enable a better understanding of the financial performance 
of the Group and facilitate comparison with prior years. Unless stated, exceptional items do not correspond to a reporting segment 
of the Group.

The exceptional items for the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 correspond to:
1 

 Incremental production costs incurred in the operating mine units to manage the Covid-19 pandemic have been presented within costs of sales and costs incurred by mine 
units in care and maintenance and those related to corporate activities have been presented within other expenses:

Third-party services

Personnel expenses (note 10)

Donations

Consumption of medical supplies 

Cleaning and food services

Depreciation and amortisation 

Others

Total

Year ended 31 December

2021

2020

Cost of sales 
US$000

Other expenses 
US$000

Cost of sales 
US$000

Other expenses 
US$000

16,032

2,324

–

1,327

2,728

37

63

873

421

–

120

24

 29

36

22,511

1,503

18,823

4,210

124

1,062

1,493

534

1,367

27,613

665

385

1,365

248

59

–

891

3,613

 These costs have been incurred in respect of the implementation of the necessary protocols including incremental third-party services mainly related to accommodation whilst 
testing all workers for active Covid-19 cases prior to travelling to mine units, medical tests and additional transportation costs to facilitate social distancing, personnel expenses 
mainly reflecting one-off bonuses paid to those workers required to oversee critical processes during period of suspension (occurred only in 2020), donations which includes the 
value of equipment donated to assist the national effort in Peru to control the pandemic as well as the donations to hardship funds administered by educational institutions, UTEC 
and TECSUP (refer to note 32)). 
 The pandemic can be considered a single protracted globally pervasive event with a financial impact over a number of reporting periods. Management’s initial expectation was 
that these costs would cease to be incurred at the end of 2020 or early 2021, and whilst the majority of the costs have reduced over time as a result of the efficiencies made to the 
health protocols and logistics required to operate throughout the pandemic, some residual costs continue to be incurred to date.
 In order to provide the users of the financial statements with a better understanding of the financial performance of the Group in the year, and to facilitate comparison with 
the prior period, we have considered it appropriate to continue to disclose separately as exceptional these incremental Covid-related costs up to December 2021. Following the 
outbreak of the Omicron variant, the virus appears to have shifted into an endemic phase. Consequently, these costs will no longer be presented as exceptional items from 2022 
and will form part of the underlying profits.

2  Corresponds to the impairment related to the Pallancata mine unit in Peru (refer to notes 16 and 17).
3  Reversals of impairment related to the San Jose mine unit (refer to notes 16, 17 and 18). 
4   The current tax credit generated by the incremental costs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic of US$7,725,000 (2020: US$9,241,000) and the deferred tax credit generated by the 

impairment of the Pallancata mine unit of US$7,330,000 (2020: deferred tax charge generated by the reversal of the impairment related to the San Jose mine unit of US$2,084,000).

12 Other income and other expenses before exceptional items

Cost of sales

Incremental costs due to Covid-19 pandemic1

Total

Other income

Demerger of Aclara (note 4)

Total

Other expenses

Incremental costs due to Covid-19 pandemic1 

Total

(Impairment)/impairment reversal of non-financial assets, net

Impairment of non-financial assets2

Reversal of impairment of non-financial assets3

Total

Income tax benefit4

Total

Year ended  
31 December  
2021 
US$000

Year ended  
31 December  
2020 
US$000

(22,511)

(22,511)

(27,613)

(27,613)

37,461

37,461

(1,503)

(1,503)

(24,846)

–

(24,846)

15,055

15,055

–

–

(3,613)

(3,613)

–

8,303

8,303

7,157

7,157

Other income

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment (note 16)

Logistic services

Income on recovery of expenses

Recovery of provision of obsolescence of supplies (note 23)

Other1

Total

Other expenses

Increase in provision for mine closure (note 28(1))

Provision of obsolescence of supplies (note 23)

Care and maintenance expenses of Ares mine unit

Write off of value added tax

Corporate social responsibility contribution in Argentina2

Care and maintenance expenses of Arcata mine unit

Provision for impairment of receivables3

Voluntary retirement plan in Argentina4

Other5

Total

Year ended  
31 December 
2021
Before  
exceptional 
items 
US$000

Year ended  
31 December 
2020
Before  
exceptional 
items 
US$000

3,342

7

418

2,338

2,330

8,435

231

336

–

1,921

1,129

3,617

(22,095)

(16,056)

(559)

(2,903)

(188)

(3,911)

(2,772)

–

(8,263)

(3,874)

(44,565)

–

(2,578)

(101)

(2,689)

(2,966)

(996)

–

(3,519)

(28,905)

 Mainly corresponds to the gain recognised for the Mosquito project of US$400,000 (2020: US$400,000).

1 
2  Relates to a contribution in Argentina to the Santa Cruz province calculated as a proportion of sales. 
3  Mainly due to write-off of a claim receivable of US$996,000.
4  Related to payments made and the provision recognised under voluntary retirement plan in Minera Santa Cruz.
5   Mainly corresponds to the expenses due to concessions of US$179,000 (2020: US$295,000), depreciation expense for right-of-use assets of US$135,000 (2020: US$151,000), the loss on 

recovery of expenses of US$nil (2020: US$158,000) and loss on sale of supplies of US$2,027,000 (2020: US$1,312,000).

 156  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 157  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
  
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

13 Finance income and finance costs 

Finance income

Interest on deposits and liquidity funds

Interest on loans to related parties

Interest income

Unwind of discount on mine rehabilitation (note 28)

Gain on discount of other receivables1

Gain from changes in the fair value of financial instruments2

Other 

Total

Finance costs

Interest on secured bank loans (note 27)

Other interest

Interest expense

Fair value loss on interest rate swap reclassified from equity 

Loss on discount of other receivables1

Loss from changes in the fair value of financial instruments3

Other

Total

Year ended  
31 December 
2021  
US$000

Year ended  
31 December 
2020 
US$000

1,815

11

1,826

2,038

–

–

82

3,946

(5,951)

(1,332)

(7,283)

(5,521)

(632)

(16,170)

(2,455)

(32,061)

2,106

–

2,106

387

335

1,057

312

4,197

(7,086)

(684)

(7,770)

(1,497)

–

(12,770)

(1,523)

(23,560)

1  Mainly related to the effect of the discount of tax credits in Argentina and Peru. 
2    Related to the fair value adjustment of the Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (AGSC) shares.
3     Represents the fair value change of US$834,000 on the AGSC and C3 Metals Inc shares (note 21) (2020: US$nil)) and the foreign exchange transaction costs of US$15,336,000 (2020: 

US$12,770,000) to acquire US$18,133,000 dollars through the sale of bonds in Argentina (2020: US$14,486,000).

14 Income tax expense 

Year ended 31 December 2021
Before  
exceptional 
items 
US$000

Exceptional 
items 
US$000

Total 
US$000

Year ended 31 December 2020

Before  
exceptional 
items 
US$000

Exceptional 
items 
US$000

Total 
US$000

Current corporate income tax from continuing operations 

Corporate income tax charge 

Withholding tax

Deferred taxation 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences from continuing 
operations (note 30) 

Effect of change in income tax rates1

Corporate income tax

Current mining royalties

Mining royalty charge (note 37)

Special mining tax charge (note 37)

Total current mining royalties

53,965

(7,725)

46,240

31,551

(9,241)

22,310

689

–

689

402

–

402

54,654

(7,725)

46,929

31,953

(9,241)

22,712

26,885

(7,330)

19,555

(12,501)

14,384

69,038

–

(12,501)

(7,330)

7,054

(15,055)

53,983

6,326

5,916

12,242

–

–

–

6,326

5,916

12,242

8,962

1,529

10,491

42,444

4,088

3,119

7,207

2,084

11,046

–

2,084

(7,157)

1,529

12,575

35,287

–

–

–

4,088

3,119

7,207

Total taxation charge/(credit) in the income statement

81,280

(15,055)

66,225

49,651

(7,157)

42,494

The weighted average statutory income tax rate was 27.7% for 2021 and 30.8% for 2020. This is calculated as the average of the 
statutory tax rates applicable in the countries in which the Group operates, weighted by the profit/(loss) before tax of the Group 
companies in their respective countries as included in the consolidated financial statements.

The change in the weighted average statutory income tax rate is due to a change in the weighting of profit/(loss) before tax in the 
various jurisdictions in which the Group operates. partially offset by the increase in the Argentinian tax rate. 

There were tax charges in relation to the cash flow hedge gains (2020: losses) recognised in equity during the year ended 31 
December 2021 of US$7,383,000 (2020: US$1,744,000 credit).

The total taxation charge on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted 
average tax rate applicable to the consolidated profits of the Group companies as follows: 

Profit from continuing operations before income tax

At average statutory income tax rate of 27.7% (2020: 30.8%) 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 

Change in statutory income tax rate

Non-taxable income resulted from Aclara demerger

Deferred tax recognised on special investment regime1

Movement in unrecognised deferred tax2

Special mining tax and mining royalty deductible for corporate income tax

Other

Corporate income tax at average effective income tax rate of 34.1% (2020: 36.8%) before foreign exchange 
effect and withholding tax

Special mining tax and mining royalty3

Corporate income tax and mining royalties at average effective income tax rate of 43.0% (2020: 48.2%)

Foreign exchange rate effect4

Corporate income tax and mining royalties at average effective income tax rate of 47.7% (2020: 66.9%) before 
withholding tax

Withholding tax

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

137,331

37,996

5,482

12,501

(7,118)

(3,561)

2,922

(3,611)

2,176

46,787

12,242

59,029

6,507

65,536

689

2020 
US$000

62,920

19,368

5,251

(1,529)

–

(2,870)

4,571

(2,126)

461

23,126

7,207

30,333

11,759

42,092

402

Total taxation charge in the income statement at average effective tax rate of 48.2% (2020: 67.5%) from 
continuing operations

66,225

42,494

1 

 Argentina benefits from a special investment regime that allows for a super (double) deduction in calculating its taxable profits for all costs relating to prospecting, exploration and 
metallurgical analysis, pilot plants and other expenses incurred in the preparation of feasibility studies for mining projects. 

2   Includes the income tax charge on mine closure provision of -US$1,325,000 (2020: US$1,687,000), the tax charge related to the Inmaculada mine unit depreciation of US$1,090,000 

(2020: US$902,000), and the effect of not recognised tax losses of US$3,157,000 (2020: US$1,982,000).

3  Corresponds to the impact of a mining royalty and special mining tax in Peru (note 37).
4   The foreign exchange effect is composed of US$934,000 profit (2020: US$1,584,000 loss) from Argentina and a loss of US$7,441,000 (2020: US$10,175,000 loss) from Peru. This mainly 
corresponds to the foreign exchange effect of converting tax bases and monetary items from local currency to the corresponding functional currency. The main contributor of the 
foreign exchange effect on the tax charge in 2021 is the devaluation of the Peruvian soles (2020: Peruvian soles).

15 Basic and diluted earnings per share 
Earnings per share (‘EPS’) is calculated by dividing profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the Parent by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares issued during the year. 

The Company has dilutive potential ordinary shares. 

As at 31 December 2021 and 2020, EPS has been calculated as follows: 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations 

Before exceptional items (US$) 

Exceptional items (US$)

Total for the year and from continuing operations (US$) 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations 

As at 31 December

2021

2020

0.14

0.01

0.15

0.13

0.01

0.14

0.06

(0.03)

0.03

0.06

(0.03)

0.03

1 

 On 16 June 2021, the Argentinian government published the Law 27630 that establishes taxable net income brackets: up to 5 million pesos is 0%, more than 5 million up to 50 million 
pesos is 30%, and more than 50 million pesos is 35%. with effect from 1 January 2021. The UK Government increased the rate of Corporation Tax to 25% on profits over £250,000 
from April 2023. There is no impact on the deferred tax calculation of the Group arising from the change in the Corporation Tax in the UK.

Before exceptional items (US$) 

Exceptional items (US$) 

Total for the year and from continuing operations (US$) 

 158  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 159  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

15 Basic and diluted earnings per share continued
Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and attributable to equity holders of the Parent is derived as follows:

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent – continuing operations (US$000) 

Exceptional items after tax – attributable to equity holders of the Parent (US$000)

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items attributable to equity holders of the Parent 
(US$000)

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items attributable to equity holders of the Parent for the 
purpose of diluted earnings per share (US$000)

The following reflects the share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (thousands)

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares related to contingently issuable shares (thousands)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the purpose of diluted earnings per share (thousands)

16  Property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December

2021

76,934

(7,367)

69,567

69,567

2020

15,162

16,800

31,962

31,962

As at 31 December

2021

513,876

5,689

519,565

2020

513,876

600

514,476

Mining 
properties 
and 
development 
costs1 
US$000 

Land and 
buildings 
US$000

Plant and 
equipment 
US$000

 1 and 2 Vehicles5 
US$000

Mine 
 closure 
 asset  
US$000

Construction 
in progress 
and capital 
advances4 
US$000

Total  
US$000

Year ended 31 December 2021

Cost

At 1 January 2021

Additions 

Change in discount rate (note 28(1))

Change in mine closure estimate (note 
28(1))

Disposals 

Write-offs

Demerger Aclara (note 4)

Foreign exchange effect

1,514,704

530,784

612,620

89,551

735

16,373

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(201)

(21)

–

–

(1,430)

(7,529)

(432)

(158)

Transfers and other movements3

1,064

24,235

15,632

At 31 December 2021

Accumulated depreciation  
and impairment 

At 1 January 2021

Depreciation for the year 

Disposals 

Write-offs

Demerger Aclara (note 4)

Foreign exchange effect

Impairment

Transfers and other movements3

At 31 December 2021

Net book amount at 31 December 2021

1,605,319

555,532

635,076

1,188,404

352,088

396,155

95,308

24,188

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

16,643

37

1,300,392

304,927

1,506

(70)

377,712

177,820

29,080

(1,392)

(6,676)

(126)

(126)

4,575

(423)

421,067

214,009

10,654

6,095

–

–

(5,654)

(419)

–

–

1,321

11,997

8,754

2,593

(5,515)

(409)

–

–

1,201

89

6,713

5,284

107,740

33,320

2,809,822

–

19,709

132,463

(2,344)

986

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(41,188)

(2,344)

986

(7,084)

(7,948)

(633)

(179)

1,064

106,382

11,841

2,926,147

75,919

4,381

–

–

–

–

601

–

80,901

25,481

–

–

–

–

–

–

404

155,550

(6,907)

(7,085)

(126)

(126)

24,526

37

1,243

2,188,028

10,598

738,119

1 

 Within mining properties and development costs and plant and equipment there are US$28,947,000 and US$6,742,000 related to the Crespo CGU that is not currently being 
depreciated as the unit is not operating pending the feasibility of the project and considering that the depreciation method is units of production.

2   Within plant and equipment, costs of US$391,152,000 are subject to depreciation on a unit of production basis in line with accounting policy on note 2(f) for which the accumulated 

depreciation is US$248,187,000 and depreciation charge for the year is US$15,377,000.

3  Transfers and other movements include US$1,027,000 that was transferred from evaluation and exploration assets (note 17).
4  There were borrowing costs capitalised in property, plant and equipment amounting to US$37,000.
5  Vehicles include US$3,258,000 of right-of-use assets (note 26).

Year ended 31 December 2020

Cost

At 1 January 2020

Additions 

Initial recognition

Change in discount rate (note 27(1))

Change in mine closure estimate (note 27(1))

Disposals 

Write-offs

Mining 
properties 
and 
development 
costs1 
US$000 

Land and 
buildings 
US$000

Plant and 
equipment 
US$000

 1 and 2 Vehicles5 
US$000

Mine 
 closure 
 asset  
US$000

Construction 
in progress 
and capital 
advances4 
US$000

Total  
US$000

1,449,374

529,081

610,955

11,748

99,696

15,196

2,716,050

62,442

118

6,431

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(132)

–

1,717

–

–

–

(1,870)

(8,613)

5,717

–

–

–

–

(31)

(1,127)

64

–

235

5,385

2,424

–

–

–

25,646

94,637

–

–

–

–

–

(7,522)

235

5,385

2,424

(2,033)

(9,740)

2,864

Transfers and other movements3

2,888

At 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation  
and impairment 

At 1 January 2020

Depreciation for the year 

Disposals 

Write-offs

Reversal of impairment

Transfers and other movements4

At 31 December 2020

Net book amount at 31 December 2020

1,514,704

530,784

612,620

10,654

107,740

33,320

2,809,822

1,119,462

334,065

384,155

72,067

19,030

22,700

–

–

(3,831)

706

(17)

– 

(1,101)

111

(1,867)

(6,539)

(1,589)

(705)

1,188,404

326,300

352,088

178,696

396,155

216,465

7,310

2,618

(28)

(1,123)

–

(23)

8,754

1,900

74,834

2,454

–

–

(1,369)

–

75,919

31,821

947

1,920,773

–

–

–

–

(108)

118,869

(1,912)

(7,662)

(7,890)

(19)

839

2,022,159

32,481

787,663

1 

 Within mining properties and development costs and plant and equipment there are US$28,489,000 and US$6,718,000 related to the Crespo CGU that is not currently being 
depreciated as the unit is not operating pending the feasibility of the project.

2   Within plant and equipment, costs of US$381,456,000 are subject to depreciation on a unit of production basis in line with accounting policy on note 2(f) for which the accumulated 

depreciation is US$230,709,000 and depreciation charge for the year is US$10,289,000.

3  Transfers and other movements include US$2,828,000 that was transferred from evaluation and exploration assets (note 17).
4  There were borrowing costs capitalised in property, plant and equipment amounting to US$32,000.
5  Vehicles include US$410,00 of right-of-use assets (note 26).

2021

As at 31 December 2021, management determined that there was a trigger of impairment in the Pallancata mine unit due to lower 
grade production and the need for an increase in capital expenditure to access new low grade areas and extend the life of mine by 
one year to 2023.

The impairment test performed over the Pallancata CGU resulted in an impairment charge recognised as at 31 December 2021 
amounting to US$24,846,000 (US$24,526,000 in property, plant and equipment, and US$320,000 in evaluation and exploration assets). 

The recoverable value of the Pallancata CGU was determined using a fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD) methodology. FVLCD 
was determined using a combination of level 2 and level 3 inputs, which result in fair value measurements categorised in their 
entirety as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, to construct a discounted cash flow model to estimate the amount that would be paid 
by a willing third party in an arm’s length transaction. 

The key assumptions on which management has based its determination of FVLCD and the associated recoverable values 
calculated are gold and silver prices, future capital requirements, production costs, reserves and resources volumes (reflected in 
the production volume), and the discount rate. 

Real prices US$ per oz.

Gold

Silver

Discount rate (post-tax)

2022

1,764

23.5

2023

1,669

22.3

Pallancata

3.3%

The period of two years was used to prepare the cash flow projections of the Pallancata mine unit which is in line with its life of mine.

Current carrying value of CGU, net of deferred tax

Pallancata

3,241

839

2,022,159

No indicators of impairment or reversal of impairment were identified in the other CGUs, which includes other exploration projects.

 160  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 161  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

16  Property, plant and equipment continued
Sensitivity analysis
As the Pallancata CGU was impaired at 31 December 2021, a negative change in any of the key assumptions would not have an 
impact on the impairment charge recognised. Given the short time left in the life of this mine, management also believes that no 
reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions would decrease the impairment charge recognised, other than a positive 
change in the gold and silver prices.

An increase of 10% in the gold and silver prices would decrease the impairment charge recorded by US$5,600,000.

2020
In 2020, management determined that there was a trigger of impairment in the San Jose mine unit due to the increase of the 
discount rate from 13.5% to 15.9%, mainly explained by the rise in country risk premium in Argentina. In addition, the increase in the 
short and medium analysis consensus prices of gold and silver in the year represented a trigger of impairment reversal for the 
Pallancata and San Jose mine units as both of these CGUs have previously been impaired.

The impairment test performed over the San Jose CGU resulted in a reversal of impairment recognised as at 31 December 2020 
amounting to US$8,303,000 (US$7,890,000 in property, plant and equipment, US$100,000 in evaluation and exploration assets and 
US$313,000 in intangibles). The reversal of impairment was mainly driven by an increase in the analysis consensus prices of silver 
and gold which was partially offset by the impact of the increase in the discount rate.

The result of the impairment test performed over the Pallancata CGU showed that the recoverable value of Pallancata was 
supported by the carrying value, and neither an impairment nor impairment reversal was recognised at 31 December 2020.

No indicators of impairment or reversal of impairment were identified in the other CGUs, which includes other exploration projects.

The recoverable values of the San Jose and Pallancata CGUs were determined using a fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD) 
methodology. 

The key assumptions on which management has based its determination of FVLCD and the associated recoverable values 
calculated are gold and silver prices, future capital requirements, production costs, reserves and resources volumes (reflected in 
the production volume), and the discount rate.

Real prices US$ per oz.

Gold

Silver

Discount rate (post-tax)

2021

1,937

26.4

2022

1,823

21.8

2023

1,684

21.0

2024

1,452

19.2

Long-term

1,400

17.8

17 Evaluation and exploration assets

Azuca 
US$000

Crespo 
US$000

Aclara 
(formerly 
Biolantanidos) 
US$000

Volcan 
US$000

Others 
US$000

Total  
US$000

Cost 

Balance at 1 January 2020

Additions

Transfers to property, plant and equipment (note 16)

Balance at 31 December 2020

Additions

Demerger (note 4)

Disposals

Foreign exchange effect

Transfers to property, plant and equipment (note 16)

82,713

551

–

83,264

580

–

–

–

–

27,242

1,684

–

28,926

2,421

–

–

–

–

Balance at 31 December 2021

83,844

31,347

Accumulated impairment

Balance at 1 January 2020

Impairment reversal

Transfers to property, plant and equipment (note 16)

45,876

9,878

–

–

–

–

Balance at 31 December 2020

45,876

9,878

Impairment

Foreign exchange effect

Transfers to property, plant and equipment (note 16)

Balance at 31 December 2021

Net book value as at 31 December 2020

Net book value as at 31 December 2021

–

–

45,876

37,388

37,968

–

–

9,878

19,048

21,469

60,507

8,297

–

68,804

11,349

(70,311)

(122)

(9,720)

95,452

1,068

–

96,520

953

–

–

(16,222)

21,153

287,067

1,687

(2,857)

19,983

6,095

–

–

–

13,287

(2,857)

297,497

21,398

(70,311)

(122)

(25,942)

(1,064)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

68,804

–

–

(1,064)

81,251

25,014

221,456

44,381

5,370

105,505

–

–

44,381

–

(7,507)

36,874

52,139

44,377

(100)

(29)

5,241

320

–

(37)

5,524

14,742

20,517

(100)

(29)

105,376

320

(7,507)

(37)

98,152

192,121

123,304

San Jose

Pallancata

5.9%

4.1%

At 31 December 2021, the Group has recorded an impairment with respect to evaluation and exploration assets of the Pallancata 
mine unit of US$320,000 (2020: reversal of impairment with respect to evaluation and exploration assets of the San Jose mine unit 
of US$100,000). The calculation of the recoverable values is detailed in note 16. 

There were no borrowing costs capitalised in evaluation and exploration assets.

The period of six and two years were used to prepare the cash flow projections of San Jose mine unit and the Pallancata mine unit 
respectively which were in line with their life of mine.

31 December 2020 (US$000)

Current carrying value of CGU, net of deferred tax

San Jose

Pallancata

127,500

35,481

The estimated recoverable values of the Group’s CGUs are equal to, or not materially different than, their carrying values. 

Sensitivity analysis
Other than as disclosed below, management believes that no reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions above 
would cause the carrying value of any of its cash-generating units to exceed its recoverable amount. 

A change in any of the key assumptions would have the following impact:

Gold and silver prices (decrease by 10%)

Gold and silver prices (increase by 5%)

Production costs (increase by 10%)

Production costs (decrease by 10%)

Production volume (decrease by 10%)

Production volume (increase by 10%)

Post tax discount rate (increase by 3%)2

Post tax discount rate (decrease by 3%)2

Capital expenditure (increase by 10%)

Capital expenditure (decrease by 10%)

US$000

San Jose

Pallancata

(61,800)

7,7001

(32,800)

7,7001

(11,800)

7,7001

(8,200)

7,7001

(10,300)

7,7001

(12,200)

9,7501

(4,700)

4,700

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1 

 This represents the maximum impairment loss that could be reversed, as it represents the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if 
no impairment loss had been recognised.

2   Management believed that a 3% change was a reasonably possible change in the post-tax discount rate in Argentina. However, changes in the perception of Argentina arising 

from political, social and financial disruption may give rise to significant movement in the discount rate used in the assessment of the San Jose CGU.

Management has also determined that the Group’s CGUs are sensitive to future stoppage of operations as a result of Covid-19. In 
the absence of any changes to the current gold and silver prices projections or any of the other key assumptions, we would expect 
the estimated recoverable amount of our CGUs related to the San Jose and Pallancata mine units could be reduced by 
US$8,900,000 and US$3,700,000 respectively, per month of stoppage. 

 162  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 163  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

18 Intangible assets

Cost 

Balance at 1 January 2020

Transfer

Balance at 31 December 2020

Foreign exchange effect

Disposals

Balance at 31 December 2021

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

Balance at 1 January 2020

Amortisation for the year4

Reversal of impairment

Balance at 31 December 2020

Amortisation for the year4

Disposals

Foreign exchange effect

Balance at 31 December 2021

Net book value as at 31 December 2020

Net book value as at 31 December 2021

Transmission  
line1 
US$000 

 Water  
permits2 
US$000 

Software 
licences 
US$000

Legal rights3 
US$000 

Total 
US$000

22,157

26,583

–

22,157

–

–

–

26,583

(4,499)

–

1,899

7

1,906

–

(17)

8,580

59,219

–

8,580

–

–

7

59,226

(4,499)

(17)

22,157

22,084

1,889

8,580

54,710

16,486

12,686

1,873

5,815

36,860

535

(313)

16,708

843

–

–

17,551

5,449

4,606

–

–

17

–

12,686

1,890

–

–

(2,147)

10,539

13,897

11,545

8

(17)

–

1,881

16

8

563

–

6,378

267

–

–

6,645

2,202

1,935

1,115

(313)

37,662

1,118

(17)

(2,147)

36,616

21,564

18,094

1 

 The transmission line is amortised using the units of production method. At 31 December 2021 the remaining amortisation period is approximately seven years (2020: seven years) 
in line with the life of the mine. At 31 December 2020, the Group recorded a reversal of impairment with respect to the transmission line of the San Jose mine unit of US$313,000 (the 
calculation of the recoverable values is detailed in note 16).

2   Corresponds to the acquisition of water permits of Andina Minerals Group (‘Andina’). These permits have an indefinite life according to Chilean law. To determine the fair value less 
costs of disposal of the Volcan cash-generating unit, which includes the water permits held by the Group, the Group used the value-in-situ methodology. This methodology applies 
a realisable ‘enterprise value’ to unprocessed mineral resources which was US$7.15 per gold equivalent ounce of resources at 31 December 2021 (2020: US$7.40). The risk adjusted 
enterprise value figure has been determined using a combination of level 2 (enterprise values and gold prices) and level 3 inputs (unprocessed mineral resources and risk factor) 
which result in a fair value measurement categorised in its entirety as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, to estimate the amount that would be paid by a willing third party in an arm’s 
length transaction, taking into account the water restrictions imposed by the Chilean government. 

3   Legal rights correspond to expenditures required to give the Group the right to use a property for the surface exploration work, development and production. At 31 December 2021 

the remaining amortisation period is from 1.5 to 11.5 years (2020: 2.5 to 12.5 years).

4  The amortisation for the period is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement.

The carrying amount of the Volcan CGU, which includes the water permits, is reviewed annually to determine whether it is in excess 
of its recoverable amount. No impairments were recognised in 2021 and 2020. The estimated recoverable amount is not materially 
different from its carrying value.

Key assumptions

Risk adjusted value per in-situ (gold equivalent ounce) US$

US$000

Current carrying value Volcan CGU

2021

7.15

2021

55,922

2020

7.40

2020

66,036

The estimated recoverable amount is not materially different from its carrying value.

Sensitivity analysis
Other than as disclosed below, management believes that no reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions above 
would cause the carrying value to exceed its recoverable amount. 

A change in the value in situ assumption could cause an impairment loss or reversal of impairment to be recognised as follows: 

Approximate (impairment)/reversal of impairment resulting from the following changes (US$000)

Value per in-situ ounce (20% decrease)

Value per in-situ ounce (20% increase)

Risk factor (increase by 5%)

Risk factor (decrease by 5%)

2021

(13,661)

13,661

(5,254)

5,254

2020

(14,100)

14,100

(5,400)

5,400

19 Investment in an associate
Following the demerger of Aclara (refer to note 4), the Group retained a 20.0% interest in Aclara Resources Inc., a listed company 
involved in the exploration of rare-earth metals in Chile. The company was incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, 
Canada, where the principal executive offices are located. The operations are conducted through one wholly-owned subsidiary 
named REE UNO SpA, located in Chile.

According to IFRS 10, when a parent loses control of a subsidiary, it must recognise any investment retained in the former subsidiary 
at its fair value at the date when control is lost. Any gain or loss on the transaction will be recorded in profit and loss. This fair value 
will be accounted for the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate. The fair value recognised was US$23,742,000 
(refer to note 4).

The Group’s interest in Aclara is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements.

In addition, the Group purchased 14,870,397 shares for a total consideration of US$19,995,000 to maintain the 20% interest after 
the IPO of Aclara.

At 31 December 2021, the Group holds 32,526,101 shares in Aclara, representing 20% interest in the Company. From 
10 December 2021 Aclara is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the fair value of the shares amounted to US$37,080,000 
as at 31 December 2021.

The following table summarises the financial information of the Group’s investment in Aclara Resources Inc:

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Equity

Group’s share in equity (20%)

Fair value adjustment allocated to the evaluation and exploration assets on initial recognition

Group’s carrying amount of the investment (20%)

Summarised consolidated statement of profit and loss 

Revenue

Administrative expenses

Exploration expenses 

Finance cost

Foreign exchange loss

Loss from continuing operations for the year

Loss from continuing operations from incorporation to 31 December 2021

Group’s share of loss for the period

Other comprehensive loss that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, net of tax

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Total comprehensive loss from incorporation to 31 December 2021

Group’s share of comprehensive loss for the period

31 December 
2021
US$000

91,320

68,126

(3,185)

156,261

31,252

12,307

43,559

–

(324)

(510)

(17)

(479)

(1,330)

(847)

(169)

(4,526)

(4,526)

(46)

(9)

At the moment of the acquisition of the associate the loss for the period was US$483,000 and the comprehensive loss for the period 
was US$4,480,000.

The carrying amount of the investment recognised the changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the associate since the 
acquisition date. The balance as at 31 December 2021 is US$43,559,000.

No dividends were received from the associate during 2021.

The associate had no contingent liabilities or capital commitments as at 31 December 2021.

 164  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 165  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

20 Financial assets at fair value through OCI 

22 Trade and other receivables 

Beginning balance 

Acquisitions1

Fair value change recorded in OCI

Disposals2

Ending balance 

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

402

7

261

(9)

661

2020 
US$000

6,159

–

1,765

(7,522)

402

1  Corresponds to the purchase of 47,625 shares of Austral Gold (US$7,000). 
2   Corresponds to the sale of 51,857 shares of Revelo Resources Corp. with a fair value at the date of sale of US$9,000 generating a loss on disposal of US$18,000 that was recycled to 
retained earnings (2020: As the investments were not considered to be strategic, the Group sold 452,200 shares of ASC, 7,399,331 shares of Skeena Resources Limited and 7,000,026 
shares of Goldspot Discoveries Inc. with a fair value at the date of sale of US$1,257,000, US$5,337,000 and US$928,000, generating a gain on disposal of US$658,000, US$1,091,000 
and US$239,000 respectively). 

The Group made the election at initial recognition to measure the below equity investments at fair value through OCI as they are 
not held for trading. The fair value at 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020 is as follows: 

Listed equity investments:

Power Group Projects Corp (formerly Cobalt Power Group)

Revelo Resources Corp.

Austral Gold

Skeena Resources Limited

Empire Petroleum Corp.

Total listed equity investments

Total non-listed equity investments

Total

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

12

–

3

312

334

661

–

661

27

8

–

325

42

402

–

402

Trade receivables

Advances to suppliers 

Duties recoverable from exports of Minera Santa Cruz1

Receivables from related parties (note 32(a)) 

Loans to employees 

Interest receivable

Receivable from Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Bank 

Other2 

Provision for impairment3

Assets classified as receivables 

Prepaid expenses 

Value Added Tax (VAT)4 

Total 

As at 31 December

2021

2020

Non-current 
US$000

Current 
US$000

Non-current 
US$000

–

–

184

–

531

–

–

1,540

–

2,255

174

41

2,470

27,773

5,119

–

224

257

95

200

9,013

(2,421)

40,260

6,047

23,442

69,749

–

–

846

–

603

–

–

1,519

–

2,968

212

2,215

5,395

Current 
US$000

45,353

4,045

–

388

101

126

201

10,298

(7,111)

53,401

4,606

20,189

78,196

The fair values of trade and other receivables approximate their book value. 

1 

 Relates to export benefits through the Patagonian Port and silver refunds in Minera Santa Cruz, discounted over 18 and 24 months (2020: 18 and 24 months) at a rate of 17.55% (2020: 
14.03%) for dollar denominated amounts and 40.17% (2020: 40.34%) for Argentinian pesos. The loss on the unwinding of the discount is recognised within finance expense (2020: 
finance income).

2   Mainly corresponds to account receivables from contractors for the sale of supplies of US$2,164,000 (2020: US$1,642,000), receivables from government agencies of US$nil (2020: 
US$4,476,000), loan to third parties of US$790,000 (2020: US$512,000), claim receivable of US$1,165,000 (2020: US$1,269,000), receivable from the sale of VAT in San José of US$nil 
(2020: US$1,222,000l) and other tax claims of US$2,150,000 (2020: US$45,000).

3   Includes the provision for impairment of trade receivable from customers in Peru of US$1,277,000 (2020: US$1,403,000), the impairment of deposits in Kaupthing, Singer and 

Friedlander of US$197,000 (2020: US$201,000), the impairment of the account receivables from government agencies of US$nil (2020: US$4,476,000), the impairment of account 
receivable from third parties of US$692,000 (2020: US$656,000) and other receivables of US$343,000 (2020: US$375,000). 

4   Primarily relates to US$17,053,000 (2020: US$9,747,000) of VAT receivable related to the San Jose project that will be recovered through future sales of gold and silver and also 

through the sale of these credits to third parties by Minera Santa Cruz. It also includes the VAT of Minera Ares of US$5,570,000 (2020: US$9,154,000), REE UNO SpA of US$nil (2020; 
US$2,166,000) and Empresa de Transmisión Aymaraes S.A.C. of US$nil (2020: US$590,000). The VAT is valued at its recoverable amount.

Fair value of the listed shares is determined by reference to published price quotations in an active market and they are categorised 
as level 1. The fair value of non-listed equity investments is determined based on financial information available for the companies 
and they are categorised as level 3. 

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables: 

21 Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

Beginning balance 

Acquisitions1

Fair value change recorded in profit and loss

Disposals2

Ending balance 

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

5,407

3,308

(834)

(4,726)

3,155

2020 
US$000

–

4,301

1,106

–

5,407

At 1 January 2020

Provided for during the year (note 12)

Foreign exchange effect

At 31 December 2020

Write-off

Foreign exchange effect

At 31 December 2021

Individually 
impaired 
US$000

6,766

996

(651)

7,111

(4,476)

(214)

2,421

As at 31 December 2021 and 2020, none of the financial assets classified as receivables (net of impairment) were past due. 

1 

 Corresponds to 25,001,540 shares of C3 Metals Inc. received in payment for the sale of the Jasperoide property in Peru (2020: corresponds to 1,687,401 shares of AGSC received as a 
payment for the balance receivable for the sale of the San Felipe project recognised as an asset held for sale as at 31 December 2019). 

2   During 2021 the Group sold 1,687,401 shares of AGSC, classified as financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, with a fair value at the date of the sale of US$4,726,000, 

generating a loss on disposal of US$681,000 which was recognised within finance costs.

The below equity investments are classified at fair value through profit and loss as they are held for trading. The fair value at 31 
December 2021 and 31 December 2020 is as follows: 

Listed equity investments:

Americas Gold and Silver Corporation 

C3 Metals Inc.

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

–

3,155

3,155

5,407

–

5,407

23 Inventories 

Finished goods valued at cost

Products in process valued at cost

Products in process accrual

Supplies and spare parts 

Provision for obsolescence of supplies 

Total 

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

220

3,547

7,534

41,021

52,322

(3,138)

49,184

2020 
US$000

–

4,087

4,413

38,778

47,278

(4,916)

42,362

Fair value of the listed shares is determined by reference to published price quotations in an active market and they are categorised 
as level 1.

Finished goods include ounces of gold and silver, dore and concentrate. Products in process include stockpile (2020: stockpile). 

The Group either sells dore bars as a finished product or if it is commercially advantageous to do so, delivers the bars for refining 
into gold and silver ounces which are then sold. In the latter scenario, the dore bars are classified as products in process. At 31 
December 2021 and 2020 the Group had no dore on hand included in products in process. 

Concentrate is sold to smelters, but in addition could be used as a product in process to produce dore. 

 166  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 167  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

23  Inventories continued
As part of the Group’s short-term financing policies, it acquires pre-shipment loans which are guaranteed by the sales contracts. 
The Group has contracts as at 31 December 2021 of US$nil (2020: US$10,628,000) (refer to note 27).

The amount of expense recognised in profit and loss related to the consumption of inventory of supplies, spare parts and raw 
materials is US$109,191,000 (2020: US$76,739,000).

Movements in the provision for obsolescence comprise an increase in the provision of US$559,000 (2020: US$nil) and the reversal of 
US$2,338,000 related to supplies and spare parts, that had been provided for (2020: US$1,921,000).

24 Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank

Current demand deposit accounts1

Time deposits2

Cash and cash equivalents considered for the statement of cash flows

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

1,065

86,058

299,666

386,789

2020 
US$000

1,198

79,834

150,851

231,883

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their book value. The Group does not have undrawn borrowing facilities 
available in the future for operating activities or capital commitments.

 Relates to bank accounts which are freely available and bear interest.

1 
2  These deposits have an average maturity of 18 days (2020: average of 45 days). 

25  Trade and other payables

Trade payables1

Salaries and wages payable2 

Dividends payable

Taxes and contributions 

Guarantee deposits 

Mining royalties (note 37)

Accounts payable to related parties (note 32(a))

Lease liabilities (note 26)

Other

Total

As at 31 December

2021

Non-current 
US$000

–

–

–

1

–

–

–

2,814

–

Current 
US$000

78,695

30,850

31

9,607

5,773

1,505

284

1,597

5,140

2,815

133,482

2020

Non-current 
US$000

–

–

–

3

–

–

–

–

Current 
US$000

72,066

26,580

34

5,075

5,962

315

266

617

202

205

3,500

114,415

The fair value of trade and other payables approximate their book values. 

1  Trade payables relate mainly to the acquisition of materials, supplies and contractors’ services. These payables do not accrue interest and no guarantees have been granted. 
2   Salaries and wages payable relates to remuneration payable. At 31 December 2021, there were Board members’ remuneration payable of US$170,000 (2020: US$151,000) and no 

Long-Term Incentive Plan payable (2020: US$nil).

26 Leases 
The Group has lease contracts for vehicles used in its operations and administrative offices. Leases of motor vehicles generally 
have lease terms of three years. The Group’s obligations under its leases are secured by the lessor’s title to the leased assets.

The Group also has certain leases of assets with lease terms of 12 months or less and leases of office equipment with low value. The 
Group applies the short-term lease and lease of low-value assets recognition exemptions for these leases.

The following are the amounts recognised in profit or loss:

Depreciation expense for right-of-use assets

Interest expense on lease liabilities 

Expense relating to short-term leases (included in cost of sales, administrative, exploration and other expenses)

Expense relating to leases of low-value assets (included in cost of sales, administrative, exploration and other 
expenses)

Variable lease payments (included in cost of sales)

Total amount recognised in profit or loss

As at 31 December

2021
US$000 

(1,969)

(42)

(2,751)

(1,031)

(5,643)

(11,436)

2020
US$000 

(2,123)

(62)

(2,335)

(1,062)

(4,614)

(10,196)

The Group had total cash outflows for leases of US$11,606,000 in 2021 (2020: US$10,032,000). There were additions to right-of-use 
assets and lease liabilities during the year of US$6,046,000 (2020: US$nil). The future cash outflows relating to leases that have not 
yet commenced are US$4,587,000 (2020: US$2,473,000). 

27 Borrowings 

Secured bank loans (a)

Pre-shipment loans in Minera Santa Cruz (note 23)

Bank loans

Total

As at 31 December

2021

2020

Effective  
interest rate

Non-current 
US$000

Current 
US$000

Effective  
interest rate

Non-current 
US$000

Current 
US$000

2.17%

–

300,000

300,000

–

28% to 35%

–

10,628

499

499

1.5%

199,554

199,554

150

10,778

(a) Secured bank loans:
Medium-term bank loans:
In December 2019, a five-year credit agreement was signed between Minera Ares and Scotiabank Peru S.A.A., The Bank of Nova 
Scotia and BBVA Securities Inc, with Hochschild Mining PLC as guarantor. The US$200,000,000 medium-term loan was payable in 
equal quarterly instalments from the second anniversary of the loan with an interest rate of Libor three months plus 1.15% payable 
quarterly until maturity on 13 December 2024. In September 2021, the Group negotiated with the same counterpart a US$ 
200,000,0000 loan to replace the original loan, plus an additional US$100,000,000 optional loan. US$200,000,000 was withdrawn on 
21 September 2021, and the optional US$100,000,000 loan was withdrawn on 1 December 2021. The maturity was extended until 
September 2026, and the interest rate increased to three-month USD Libor plus a spread of 1.65%. A structuring fee of US$900,000 
was paid to the lender and an additional US$193,000 was incurred as transaction costs. In addition, a commitment fee of 
US$120,000 was paid for the period that the optional US$100,000,000 loan remained undrawn. This was considered a substantial 
modification to the terms of the loan, and consequently, it was treated as an extinguishment of the loan which resulted in the 
derecognition of the existing liability and recognition of a new liability. The associated costs and fees incurred have been 
recognised as part of the loss on the extinguishment. 

The carrying value including accrued interests payable as at 31 December 2021 is US$300,499,000. The maturity of non-current 
borrowings is as follows: 

Between 1 and 2 years 

Between 2 and 5 years 

Over 5 years

Total 

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

25,000

2020 
US$000

66,666

275,000

132,888

–

–

300,000

199,554

The carrying amount of the pre-shipment loans approximates their fair value. The carrying amount and fair value of the mid-term 
loan are as follows: 

Secured bank loans 

Total 

The movement in borrowings during the year is as follows:

Current

Bank loans 

Accrued interest

Non-current

Bank loans

Carrying amount  
as at 31 December

Fair value  
as at 31 December

2021 
US$000

300,499

300,499

2020 
US$000

199,704

199,704

2021 
US$000

296,122

296,122

2020 
US$000

199,110

199,110

As at 1  
January 2021 
US$000

Additions 
US$000

Repayments 
US$000

Reclassifications 
US$000

As at 31 
December 2021 
US$000

10,101

677

10,778

5,954

5,951

11,905

(14,793)

(5,720)

(20,513)

(1,262)

(409)

(1,671)

–

499

499

199,554

199,554

100,000

100,000

–

–

446

446

300,000

300,000

 168  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 169  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

28 Provisions 

At 1 January 2020

Additions

Accretion (note 13)

Change in discount rate

Change in estimates 

Foreign exchange effect

Payments

At 31 December 2020

Less: current portion

Non-current portion

At 1 January 2021

Additions

Accretion (note 13)

Change in discount rate

Change in estimates 

Foreign exchange effect

Utilisation

Payments

At 31 December 2021

Less: current portion

Non-current portion

Provision
for mine 
closure1
US$000

106,671

235

(387)

7,129

16,736

–

(3,987)

126,397

(19,390)

107,007

126,397

–

(2,038)

(1,627)

22,364

–

(1,978)

(9,083)

134,035

(19,670)

114,365

Long-Term 
Incentive
Plan2
US$000

Workers’ profit 
sharing  
US$000

818

308

–

–

–

–

–

1,126

–

1,126

1,126

(659)

–

–

–

–

–

–

467

–

467

6,063

4,986

–

–

–

(11)

(5,649)

5,389

(5,389)

–

5,389

11,018

–

–

–

(525)

–

(4,990)

10,892

(10,892)

–

Other 
US$000

2,019

41

–

–

–

(435)

–

1,625

(725)

900

1,625

2,164

–

–

–

(290)

–

–

3,499

(1,496)

2,003

Total 
US$000

115,571

5,570

(387)

7,129

16,736

(446)

(9,636)

134,537

(25,504)

109,033

134,537

12,523

(2,038)

(1,627)

22,364

(815)

(1,978)

(14,073)

148,893

(32,058)

116,835

1 

 The provision represents the discounted values of the estimated cost to decommission and rehabilitate the mines at the expected date of closure of each of the mines. The 
present value of the provision has been calculated using a real pre-tax annual discount rate, based on a US Treasury bond of an appropriate tenure adjusted for the impact of 
inflation as at 31 December 2021 and 2020 respectively, and the cash flows have been adjusted to reflect the risk attached to these cash flows. Uncertainties on the timing for 
use of this provision include changes in the future that could impact the time of closing the mines, as new resources and reserves are discovered. The discount rate used was 
-2.09% (2020: -1.58%). Expected cash flows will be over a period from one to 17 years (2020: over a period from one to 17 years).

 Based on the internal and external reviews of mine rehabilitation estimates, the provision for mine closure increased by US$22,364,000 mainly due to an increase in the Selene 
mine unit of US$14,032,000 and Sipan mine unit of US$3,103,000 (2020: increase by US$16,736,000 mainly due to an increase in the Ares mine unit of US$14,070,000 and San Jose 
mine unit of US$1,944,000).

 A net charge of US$22,095,000 related to changes in estimates (US$21,378,000) and discount rates (US$717,000) for mines already closed was recognised directly in the income 
statement (2020: net charge of US$16,056,000 related to changes in estimates (US$14,312,000) and discount rates (US$1,744,000) for mines already closed was recognised 
directly in the income statement).

 Utilisation for the year corresponds to depreciation of certain assets which are used as part of mine rehabilitation. This has been recognised against the mine 
rehabilitation provision.

 The increase in the accretion from 2020 (US$387,000) to 2021 (US$2,038,000) is explained because the Group is closer to the budget execution periods and the discount rates 
used for 2021 were more negatives than those of 2021, hence the increase. 

  A change in any of the following key assumptions used to determine the provision would have the following impact:

The following tables list the inputs to the Monte Carlo model used for the LTIPs as at 31 December 2021 and 2020, respectively:

For the period ended

Dividend yield (%)

Expected volatility (%)

Risk-free interest rate (%)

Expected life (years)

Weighted average share price (pence £) 

LTIP 2019
 31 December 
2020 
US$000

LTIP 2020

 31 December 
2021 
US$000

 31 December 
2020 
US$000

1.43

3.39

-0.12

1

2.37

3.70

0.02

1

1.43

3.39

-0.13

2

161.37

179.61

179.61

The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility over a period is similar to the life of the awards and is 
indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be the actual outcome. The outcome of the LTIP 2019 as at 31 December 
2021 was US$nil.

29 Equity 
(a)  Share capital and share premium 
Issued share capital 
The issued share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Class of shares 

Ordinary shares 

Issued

Number

Amount 

513,875,563

£128,468,891

At 31 December 2021 and 2020, all issued shares with a par value of 25 pence each were fully paid (2021: weighted average of 
US$0.441 per share, 2020: weighted average of US$0.441 per share). 

The changes in share capital are as follows:

Shares issued as at 1 January 2020

Shares issued as at 31 December 2020

Shares issued as at 31 December 2021

Number of 
shares

Share capital 
US$000

Share premium 
US$000

513,875,563

513,875,563

513,875,563

226,506

226,506

226,506

438,041

438,041

438,041

Rights attached to ordinary shares
At general meetings of the Company, on a show of hands and on a poll, every member who is present in person or subject to the 
below, by proxy, has one vote for every share of which they are the holder/proxy. However, in the case of a vote on a show of hands 
where a proxy has been appointed by more than one member, the proxy has one vote for and one vote against if the proxy has been 
instructed by one or more members to vote for the resolution and by one or more members to vote against the resolution.

(b)  Treasury shares
Treasury shares represent the cost of Hochschild Mining PLC shares purchased in the market and held by the trustee of the 
Hochschild Mining Employee Share Trust to satisfy the award of conditional shares under the Group’s Enhanced Long-Term 
Incentive Plan granted to the CEO (note 2(o)). 

The movements in treasury shares are as follows:

Closure costs (increase by 10%) increase of provision

Discount rate (increase by 0.5%) (decrease of provision)

US$000

13,404

(7,426)

 – On 30 March 2020, the Group purchased 182,941 shares for a total consideration of £234,000 (equivalent to US$292,000).

 – On 30 March 2020, 182,941 treasury shares with a value of US$292,000 (being the cost incurred to acquire the shares) were 

transferred to the CEO of the Group with respect to the Enhanced Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 An element of mine closure planning can be water management which relates to the treatment of contact water. The cost of this water processing could continue for a number 
of years after closure activities have been completed and is therefore, potentially, exposed to long-term climate change. Mine planning for Hochschild’s operating assets takes 
into account mine-closure activities. In the case of the now-closed Sipan mine, due to the specific characteristics of the closed mine components, contact water treatment is 
ongoing. According to our most recent approved Mine Closure Plan (July 2021), Sipan will be the subject of ongoing treatment until 2025 or until baseline water quality conditions 
have been met. As at the date of approval of these financial statements, the impact of climate change on Sipan’s mine closure planning is not expected to be material.

2   Corresponds to the provision related to awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) to designated personnel of the Group. Includes the following benefits: (i) 
2020 awards, granted in February 2020, payable in February 2023, as 50% in cash (refer to note 29(c)), (ii) 2019 awards, granted in July 2019, payable in February 2022, as 50% 
in cash. Only employees who remain in the Group’s employment on the vesting date will be entitled to vested awards, subject to exceptions approved by the Remuneration 
Committee of the Board. There are two parts to the performance conditions attached to LTIP awards: 70% is subject to the Company’s TSR ranking relative to a tailored peer 
group of mining companies, and 30% is subject to the Company’s TSR ranking relative to the constituents of the FTSE 350 mining index. The liability for the LTIP paid in cash is 
measured, initially and at the end of each reporting period until settled, at the fair value of the awards, by applying the Monte Carlo pricing model, taking into account the terms 
and conditions on which the awards were granted, and the extent to which the employees have rendered services to date. The net decrease to the provision of US$659,000 
(2020: US$308,000 net increase) has been recorded as administrative expenses -US$630,000 (2020: US$295,000) and exploration expenses -US$29,000 (2020: US$13,000).

At 31 December 2021 the balance of treasury shares is nil (31 December 2020: nil).

(c)  Other reserves 
Fair value reserve of financial assets at fair value through OCI
In accordance with IFRS 9, the Group made the decision to classify its investments in listed and unlisted companies as financial 
assets at fair value through OCI. The increase/decrease in the fair value, net of the related deferred tax liability, is taken directly to this 
account where it will remain until disposal, when the cumulative unrealised gains and losses are recycled through retained earnings.

Cumulative translation adjustment
The cumulative translation adjustment account is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial 
statements of subsidiaries with a functional currency different to the reporting currency of the Group. 

Merger reserve 
The merger reserve represents the difference between the value of the net assets of the Cayman Holding Companies (Ardsley, 
Garrison, Larchmont and Hochschild Mining (Peru)) acquired under the Share Exchange Agreement and the nominal value of the 
shares issued in consideration of such acquisition. 

Cash flow hedges 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, which are held to hedge the exposure to variability in cash 
flows of the hedged items, are recognised in other components of equity until changes in the fair value of the hedged item are 
recognised in profit or loss. The Group uses cash flow hedges for hedging the exposure to variability in silver prices.

 170  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 171  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

29 Equity continued
Share-based payment reserve
The share-based payment reserve is used to recognise the value of equity-settled share-based payment transactions provided to 
employees, as a part of their remuneration. 

(i)  Enhanced Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘ELTIP’) 
In March 2014, the CEO was granted awards under the ELTIP (1,076,122 shares). Awards were made over conditional shares with a 
value, on the date of grant, equivalent to six times salary and which vest in tranches over an extended performance period of four, 
five and six years. Further details on the design of the ELTIP award and numbers of awards granted are included in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

The fair value of the option was determined using the Monte Carlo model. The carrying amount of the share-based payment 
reserve relating to the ELTIP at 31 December 2021 is US$nil (2020: US$nil) with the amount recognised in the consolidated income 
statement of US$nil (2020: US$40,000). 

As at 31 December 2019, 538,061 ordinary shares were pending to vest. The vesting percentage of the 50% of the award (538,061 
shares) resulted in 34% and on 30 March 2020 the CEO received 182,941 treasury shares, and US$794,000 was transferred from the 
share-based payment reserve to retained earnings. 

As at 31 December 2021 nil ordinary shares are pending to vest (31 December 2020: nil ordinary shares).

The movement in other reserves is as follows: 

Balance at 1 January 2020

Expense recognised in the period 

Vesting at 20 March 2020, treasury shares received by the CEO on 30 March 2020 with a value of US$1.60 per share totalling 
US$292,000 (refer to (b) below)

Balance at 31 December 2020 and 2021

The movement of the shares according to the date of vesting is as follows:

Balance of shares pending to vest at 1 January 2020

Shares lapsed on 20 March 2020 (50% of the award)

Shares vested on 20 March 2020

Balance of shares pending to vest at 31 December 2020 and 2021

US$000

1,047

40

(1,087)

–

Number of 
shares

538,061

(355,120)

(182,941)

–

(ii)  Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)
On 25 May 2018 the Group approved the grant of 2018 LTIP awards, on 11 February 2019 the Group approved the grant of 2019 
LTIP awards, on 19 February 2020 the Group approved the grant of 2020 LTIP awards and on 26 May 2021 the Group approved the 
grant of 2021 LTIP awards. The 2018, 2019 and 2020 awards give a right to receive a cash payment equivalent to the 50% of the 
prize (cash-settled transaction) (refer to note 28(2)), and the other 50% will be used to acquire shares of the Company (equity-
settled transaction).

The vesting of the 2021 LTIP awards is subject to the following performance conditions: 50% on Hochschild’s three-year total 
shareholder return (‘TSR’) and 50% on internal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) measured during the same period. The 
performance period will be from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023. The award will vest in May 2024.

The whole of any vested LTIP award will be deferred in Company shares for two years. The award will lapse if the beneficiary ceases 
to be an employee of the Group other than as a good leaver or on death.

Further details on the design of the LTIP award are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

The fair value of the option based on the TSR was determined using the Monte Carlo model. The following tables list the inputs to the 
Monte Carlo model used for the 2018 LTIP, 2019 LTIP, 2020 LTIP and 2021 LTIP:

Dividend yield (%)

Expected volatility (%)

Risk–free interest rate (%)

Expected life (years)

 LTIP 2021

 LTIP 2020

LTIP 2019

LTIP 2018

2.37

3.71

0.23

2

0.87

3.19

0.51

2.5

1.46

2.90

0.42

2.4

1.18

5.2

0.55

2.6

Weighted average share price (pence £) 

177.00

179.61

161.37

235.08

The 50% subject to internal KPIs is split equally between: 

i)    three-year growth of the Company´s Measured and Indicated Resources (MIR) per share (excluding Volcan), The three-year MIR 
growth was projected using a normal distribution based on historical data, and factoring in the additional growth expected from 
acquisitions, and 

ii)   average outcome of the annual bonus scorecard in respect of 2021, 2022 and 2023, calculated as the simple mean of the three 

scorecard outcomes.  
Probabilities assigned to each possible outcome, based on historical data and management judgement. 

The movement in other reserves is as follows:

Balance at 1 January 2020

Expense recognised in the period 

Balance at 31 December 2020

Expense recognised in the period 

Forfeiture of share options

Balance at 31 December 2021

No shares vested during the period (2020: nil).

30 Deferred income tax 
The changes in the net deferred income tax assets/(liabilities) are as follows: 

LTIP 2021
US$000

LTIP 2020
US$000

LTIP 2019
US$000

LTIP 2018
US$000

–

–

–

1,167

–

1,167

–

438

438

509

–

947

551

624

1,175

623

–

1,798

566

354

920

143

(1,063)

–

Beginning of the year 

Income statement credit (note 14)

Equity charge

End of the year 

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

(72,307)

(7,054)

(7,383)

(86,744)

2020 
US$000

(61,476)

(12,575)

1,744

(72,307)

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to the same fiscal authority. 

The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities before offset during the year is as follows: 

Deferred income tax liabilities 

At 1 January 2020

Income statement charge/(credit) 

At 31 December 2020

Income statement charge/(credit) 

At 31 December 2021

Deferred income tax assets 

At 1 January 2020

Income statement (charge)/credit

Equity credit

At 31 December 2020

Income statement (charge)/credit

Equity charge

At 31 December 2021

Differences 
in cost 
of PP&E  
US$000 

Mine 
development 
US$000

Provisional 
pricing 
adjustment 
US$000

Others  
US$000

Total  
US$000

36,770

2,751

39,521

6,108

45,629

81,768

3,184

84,952

(67)

84,885

353

343

696

(752)

(56)

4,283

(636)

3,647

(495)

3,152

123,174

5,642

128,816

4,794

133,610

Differences 
in cost 
of PP&E 
 US$000 

Provision 
for mine 
closure 
US$000

Mine 
development 
US$000

Others1 
US$000

Total 
US$000

31,044

(10,914)

–

20,130

(7,333)

–

21,380

4,004

–

25,384

5,082

–

12,797

30,466

584

(110)

–

474

(109)

–

365

8,690

87

1,744

10,521

100

(7,383)

3,238

61,698

(6,933)

1,744

56,509

(2,260)

(7,383)

46,866

1 

 Credit/(charge) in the year mainly related to silver forward of US$7,383,000 (2020: interest rate swap of US$1,744,000), statutory holiday provision of US$1,112,000 (2020: 
US$857,000) and Long-Term Incentive Plan of US$731,000 (2020: US$771,000). 

The amounts after offset, as presented on the face of the statement of financial position, are as follows: 

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

Total

Unrecognised tax losses expire in the following years:

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

484

(87,228)

(86,744)

2020 
US$000

1,009

(73,316)

(72,307)

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

167,273

167,273

2020 
US$000

171,527

171,527

The remaining contract life is nil years (2020: 0.4 years), 0.1 years (2020: 1.1 years), 1.1 years (2020: 2.1 years), and 2.4 years for the 
2018 LTIP, 2019 LTIP, 2020 LTIP and 2021 LTIP respectively.

Expire after four years 

 172  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 173  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information1  This relates to provision for mine closure expenditure which is expected to be incurred in periods in which taxable profits are not expected to be available to offset the expenditure. 

Expenses

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

30 Deferred income tax continued
Other unrecognised deferred income tax assets comprise (gross amounts): 

Provision for mine closure1 

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

7,887

2020 
US$000

9,212

Unrecognised deferred tax liability on retained earnings
At 31 December 2021 and 2020, there was no recognised deferred tax liability for taxes that would be payable on the unremitted 
earnings of certain of the Group’s subsidiaries as the intention is that these amounts are permanently reinvested.

31 Dividends 

Dividends paid and proposed during the year

Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

Final dividend for 2020: 2.335 US cents per share (2019: nil US cents per share)

Interim dividend for 2021: 1.95 US cents per share (2020: 4.000 US cents per share)

Total dividends paid in cash

Dividends in specie paid with Aclara shares (note 4)

Total dividends paid on ordinary shares

Proposed dividends on ordinary shares:

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

12,002

10,020

22,022

94,945

–

20,556

20,556

–

116,967

20,556

Final dividend for 2021: 2.335 US cents per share (2020: 2.335 US cents per share)

12,000

12,002

Dividends declared to non-controlling interests: 0.058 US$ per share (2020: 0.002 US$ per share)

Total dividends declared to non-controlling interests

9,832

9,832

345

345

Dividends paid in 2021 to non-controlling interests amounted to US$9,832,000 (2020: US$345,069).

In August 2021, the Board became aware of an issue concerning technical compliance with the Companies Act 2006 in relation to 
the 2017 final dividend, the 2018 interim and final dividends, the 2019 interim dividend, and the 2020 interim and final dividends (the 
‘Relevant Dividends’). In particular, the Relevant Dividends were paid to shareholders when the Company did not have adequate 
distributable reserves. 

Significant corrective transactions (namely, a capital reduction and dividend distribution by the Company’s wholly-owned 
subsidiary, Hochschild Mining Holdings Limited) were implemented by the Company in September 2021, shortly after discovery of 
the issue. Had these internal corporate transactions been implemented prior to the payment of the 2017 final dividend, adequate 
distributable reserves would have been available to the Company.

As previously reported, the Board intends to put resolutions to shareholders at a General Meeting to i) complete the rectification of 
this past issue and ii) increase further, to the extent practicable, the level of Distributable Reserves available to the Company.

Dividends per share 
The interim dividend paid in September 2021 was US$10,020,000 (1.954 US cents per share). A dividend in specie amounting to 
US$94,945,000 was paid in December 2021 (refer to note 4). A proposed dividend in respect of the year ending 31 December 2021 
of 2.335 US cents per share, amounting to a total dividend of US$12,000,000, is subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting 
to be held on 26 May 2022 and is not recognised as a liability as at 31 December 2021. 

32 Related-party balances and transactions 
(a)  Related-party accounts receivable and payable 
The Group had the following related-party balances and transactions during the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020. The 
related parties are companies owned or controlled by the main shareholder of the Parent Company or associates. 

Current related party balances

Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A.1

Tecsup2

Universidad UTEC2

REE UNO SpA3

Aclara Resources Inc3

Total 

Accounts receivable 
as at 31 December

Accounts payable 
as at 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

217

387

1

–

6

–

1

–

–

–

224

388

152

115

5

–

12

284

146

120

–

–

–

266

1 

 The account receivable relates to reimbursement of expenses paid by the Group on behalf of Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A., an entity controlled by Eduardo Hochschild. The 
account payable relates to the payment of rentals.

2  Peruvian not-for-profit educational institutions controlled by Eduardo Hochschild.
3 Associated companies of the Aclara Group (refer to notes 4 and 19).

As at 31 December 2021 and 2020, all accounts are, or were, non-interest bearing. 

No security has been granted or guarantees given by the Group in respect of these related party balances. 

Principal transactions between affiliates are as follows: 

Expense recognised for the rental paid to Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A.

Expense donations to Tecsup

Expense donations to Universidad UTEC

Expense technical services from Tecsup

Transactions between the Group and these companies are at an arm’s length basis. 

(b)  Compensation of key management personnel of the Group

Compensation of key management personnel (including Directors) 

Short-term employee benefits

Long-term Incentive Plans

Total compensation paid to key management personnel

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

(403)

–

–

(292)

(469)

(505)

(875)

(190)

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

7,509

776

8,285

2020 
US$000

7,330

808

8,138

This amount includes the remuneration paid to the Directors of the Parent Company of the Group of US$3,967,000 (2020: 
US$3,821,000). 

(c)  Related party transaction 

Participation of Pelham Investment Corporation in the IPO of Aclara 

As announced by the Company on 3 December 2021, Pelham Investment Corporation (‘Pelham’), a company controlled by the 
Chairman, Eduardo Hochschild, entered into a subscription agreement with Aclara on 2 December 2021 pursuant to which Pelham 
agreed to purchase, on a prospectus exempt basis in Canada, 22,791,399 Aclara shares at a price of C$1.70 per share (the ‘Offering 
Price’). In addition, Pelham subscribed for 9,855,660 Aclara shares at the Offering Price as part of the IPO. These share acquisitions, 
which are in addition to the Aclara shares acquired by Pelham as part of the demerger dividend, constitute a smaller related party 
transaction for the purposes of the UK Listing Rules. Accordingly, as also announced, the Company obtained a written confirmation 
from a sponsor that the terms of the smaller related party transaction were fair and reasonable as far as the shareholders of the 
Company are concerned. 

33 Auditor’s remuneration 
The auditor’s remuneration for services provided to the Group during the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 is as follows: 

Audit fees pursuant to legislation1 

Audit-related assurance services

Other assurance services2

Other non-audit services3

Total

Amounts paid to Ernst & Young in 
the year ended 31 December 

2021
US$000

1,206

130

176

–

1,512

2020
US$000

855

90

12

37

994

1  The total audit fee in respect of local statutory audits of subsidiaries is US$417,000 (2020: US$323,000).
2    Includes US$164,000 for assurance services (including comfort letters) in relation to the spin-off of Aclara and US$12,000 for assurance services over the Group’s environmental 

ECO Score. (2020: US$ 12,000 for assurance services over the Group’s environmental ECO Score). 

3    Related to corporate finance transaction services for a transaction that did not proceed. 

In 2021 and 2020, all fees are included in administrative expenses.

 174  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 175  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

34 Notes to the statement of cash flows

Reconciliation of loss for the year to net cash generated from operating activities

Profit for the year 

Adjustments to reconcile Group loss to net cash inflows from operating activities

Depreciation (note 3(a)) 

Amortisation of intangibles (note 18)

Write-off of assets (note 16)

Provision of doubtful receivable (note 12)

Impairment /(reversal of impairment) of assets (note 11)

Gain on demerger of Aclara (note 4)

Loss on sale of financial assets at fair value through profit and loss (note 21)

Share of post-tax losses of associates

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

Provision for obsolescence of supplies (note 12)

Increase of provision for mine closure (note 12)

Finance income (note 13)

Finance costs (note 13)

Income tax expense (note 14)

Other 

Increase/(decrease) of cash flows from operations due to changes in assets and liabilities

Trade and other receivables 

Income tax receivable

Other financial assets and liabilities

Inventories

Trade and other payables 

Provisions

Cash generated from operations 

35  Commitments
(a)  Mining rights purchase options 
During the ordinary course of business, the Group enters into agreements to carry out exploration under concessions held by third 
parties. Generally, under the terms of these agreements, the Group has the option to acquire the concession or invest in the entity 
holding the concession. In order to exercise these options the Group must satisfy certain financial and other obligations during the 
term of the agreement. The options lapse in the event that the Group does not meet its financial obligations. At any point in time, the 
Group may cancel the agreements without penalty, except where specified below. These agreements are not under non-
cancellable/irrevocable clauses.

The Group continually reviews its requirements under the agreements and determines, on an annual basis, whether to proceed with 
its financial commitment. Based on management’s current intention regarding these projects, the commitments at the statement of 
financial position date are as follows: 

Commitment for the subsequent 12 months 

More than one year 

(b)  Capital commitments 

Peru 

Argentina 

As at 31 December

2021
US$000

12,583

66,218

2020
US$000

3,837

35,552

For the year ended 31 December
2020
US$000

2021
US$000

24,946

13,812

38,758

1,800

2,111

3,911

As at 31 December

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

71,106

20,426

150,292

116,920

1,118

863

– 

24,846

(37,461)

834

169

(3,342)

(1,779)

22,095

(3,946)

32,061

66,225

7,742

1,115

2,078

996

(8,303)

–

–

–

(231)

(1,921)

16,056

(4,197)

23,560

42,494

4,012

36 Contingencies 
As at 31 December 2021 the Group is subject to various claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. No provision has been 
made in the financial statements and none of these claims are currently expected to result in any material loss to the Group. 

(a)  Taxation 
Fiscal periods remain open to review by the tax authorities for four years in Peru, five years in Argentina and Mexico and three years 
in Chile, preceding the year of review. During this time the authorities have the right to raise additional tax assessments including 
penalties and interest. Under certain circumstances, reviews may cover longer periods. 

Because a number of fiscal periods remain open to review by the tax authorities, coupled with the complexity of the Group and the 
transactions undertaken by it, there remains a risk that significant additional tax liabilities may arise. As at 31 December 2021, the 
Group had exposures totalling US$20,622,000 (2020: US$26,706,000). 

When the tax authority challenges the deductibility of certain expenses the Group reassesses the case internally and externally, 
with the support of a third-party professional, to determine the probability of success and, depending on the result, makes the 
decision whether or not to continue with the claim. Notwithstanding this risk, the Directors believe that management’s interpretation 
of the relevant legislation and assessment of taxation is appropriate and that it is probable that the Group’s tax and customs 
positions will be sustained in the event of a challenge by the tax authorities. Consequently, the Directors consider that no tax liability 
is required to be recognised in respect of these claims or risks. 

(b)  Guarantees
The Group is required to provide guarantees in Peru in respect of environmental restoration and decommissioning obligations. The 
Group has provided for the estimated cost of these activities (see note 28(1)). 

37  Mining royalties
Peru 
In accordance with Peruvian legislation, owners of mining concessions must pay a mining royalty for the exploitation of metallic and 
non-metallic resources. Mining royalties have been calculated with rates ranging from 1% to 3% of the value of mineral concentrate 
or equivalent sold, based on quoted market prices. 

(13,734)

(18,905)

In October 2011 changes came into effect for mining companies, with the following features:

(3,501)

15,336

(4,534)

(9,542)

4,740

2,189

90

21,991

(8,611)

(760)

319,588

208,999

a)   Introduction of a Special Mining Tax (‘SMT’), levied on mining companies at the stage of exploiting mineral resources. The 

additional tax is calculated by applying a progressive scale of rates ranging from 2% to 8.4%, of the quarterly operating profit. 

b)   Modification of the mining royalty calculation, which consists of applying a progressive scale of rates ranging from 1% to 12%, of 
the quarterly operating profit. The former royalty was calculated on the basis of monthly sales value of mineral concentrates. 
The SMT and modified mining royalty are accounted for as an income tax in accordance with IAS 12 ‘Income Taxes’

c)   For companies that have mining projects benefiting from tax stability regimes, mining royalties are calculated and recorded as 
they were previously, applying an additional new special charge on mining that is calculated using progressive scale rates, 
ranging from 4% to 13.12% of quarterly operating profit. 

As at 31 December 2021, the amounts payable under the new mining royalty and the SMT amounted to US$1,341,000 (2020: 
US$1,544,000) and US$882,000 (2020: US$1,492,000) respectively. The new mining royalty and SMT are reported as ‘Income tax 
payable’ in the statement of financial position. The amount recorded in the income statement was US$6,326,000 (2020: 
US$4,088,000) of new mining royalty and US$5,916,000 (2020: US$3,119,000) of SMT, both classified as income tax.

Argentina 
In accordance with Argentinian legislation, Provinces (being the legal owners of the mineral resources) are entitled to collect 
royalties from mine operators. For San Jose, the mining royalty applicable to dore and concentrate is 3% of the pit-head value. As at 
31 December 2021, the amount payable as mining royalties amounted to US$1,505,000 (2020: US$315,000). The amount recorded 
in the income statement as cost of sales was US$7,171,000 (2020: US$5,208,000).

 176  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 177  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

38  Financial risk management
The Group is exposed to a variety of risks and uncertainties which may have a financial impact on the Group and which also impact 
the achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives. These risks include strategic, commercial, operational and 
financial risks and are further categorised into risk areas to facilitate consolidated risk reporting across the Group. 

The Group has made significant developments in the management of the Group’s risk environment which seeks to identify and, 
where appropriate, implement the controls to mitigate the impact of the Group’s significant risks. This effort is supported by a Risk 
Committee with the participation of the CEO, the Vice Presidents, and the head of the internal audit function. The Risk Committee is 
responsible for implementing the Group’s policy on risk management and internal control in support of the Company’s business 
objectives, and monitoring the effectiveness of risk management within the organisation.

(a)  Commodity price risk 
Silver and gold prices have a material impact on the Group’s results of operations. Prices are significantly affected by changes in 
global economic conditions and related industry cycles. Generally, producers of silver and gold are unable to influence prices 
directly; therefore, the Group’s profitability is ensured through the control of its cost base and the efficiency of its operations. 

The Group’s policy is generally to remain hedge-free. However, management continuously monitors silver and gold prices and 
reserves the right to take the necessary action, where appropriate and within Board approved parameters, to mitigate the impact 
of this risk. During 2020 the Group had no hedging instruments. 

At 31 December 2020 the Group was not exposed to commodity price risk on commodity forward contracts.

Derivative financial assets – Silver forward
On 8 February 2021, the Group signed agreements with JP Morgan to hedge the sale of 4,000,000 ounces of silver at US$27.10 per 
ounce for 2021 and a further 4,000,000 ounces of silver at US$26.86 per ounce for 2022.

On 10 November 2021, the Group signed agreements with JP Morgan to hedge the sale of 3,300,000 ounces of silver at US$25.0 per 
ounce for 2023.

The silver forwards are being used to hedge exposure to changes in cash flows from silver commodity prices. There is an economic 
relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instruments due to a common underlying. In accordance with IFRS 9, the 
derivative instruments are categorised as cash flow hedges at the inception of the hedging relationship and, on an ongoing basis, 
the Group assesses whether a hedging relationship meets the hedge effectiveness requirements. The Group has established a 
hedge ratio of 1:1 for the hedging relationships as the underlying risk of the silver forwards is identical to the hedged risk 
components. To test the hedge effectiveness, the Group uses the hypothetical derivative method and compares the changes in the 
fair value of the silver forwards against the changes in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. That said, it is 
observed that the effectiveness tests comply with the requirements of IFRS 9 and that the hedging strategy is highly effective. 

The fair values of the silver forwards were calculated using a discounted cash flow model applying a combination of level 1 (USD 
quoted market commodity prices) and level 2 inputs. The models used to value the commodity forward contracts are standard 
models, that calculate the present value of the fixed legs (the fixed silver leg) and compare them with the present value of the 
expected cash flows of the flowing legs (the London Metal Exchange ‘LME’ silver fixing). In the case of the commodity forward 
contracts, the models use the LME AG forward curve and the US LIBOR swap curve for discounting.

This approach results in the fair value measurement categorised in its entirety as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of 
the silver forwards as at 31 December 2021 are as follows:

Current assets

Non-current assets

The effect recorded is as follows:

Income statement – revenue

Equity – unrealised gain on hedges

US$000

5,042

14,073

19,115

US$000

7,982

19,115

The sensitivity to a reasonable movement in the commodity prices, with all other variables held constant, determined as a +/-10% 
change in prices has aUS$2,182,000/ US$36,046,000 effect on OCI.

The Group has price adjustments arising from the sale of concentrate and dore which were provisionally priced at the time the sale 
was recorded (refer to note 5). The sensitivity of the fair value to an immediate 10% favourable or adverse change in the price of 
gold and silver (assuming all other variables remain constant) is as follows: 

Year 

2021

2020

Increase/
decrease in 
price of 
ounces of: 

Effect on 
profit before tax 
US$000 

Gold +/-10%

Silver+/-10%

Gold +/-10%

Silver+/-10%

+/-95

+/-757

+/-210

+/-890

(b)  Foreign currency risk 
The Group produces silver and gold which are typically priced in US dollars. A proportion of the Group’s costs are incurred in 
pounds sterling, Peruvian nuevos soles, Canadian dollars, Argentinian pesos, Chilean pesos and Mexican pesos. Accordingly, the 
Group’s financial results may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations between the US dollar and the local currency. The long-
term relationship between commodity prices and currencies in the countries in which the Group operates provides a certain degree 
of natural protection. The Group does not use derivative instruments to manage its foreign currency risks.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of financial assets and liabilities, at the reporting date, denominated in their 
respective currencies, to a reasonably possible change in the US dollar exchange rate, with all other variables held constant, of the 
Group’s profit before tax and the Group’s equity.

Year 

2021

Pounds sterling 

Argentinian pesos

Mexican pesos 

Peruvian nuevos soles 

Canadian dollars

Chilean pesos

2020

Pounds sterling 

Argentinian pesos

Mexican pesos 

Peruvian nuevos soles 

Canadian dollars

Chilean pesos

Increase/
decrease in 
US$/other
currencies’
rate

Effect 
on profit 
before tax 
US$000

Effect 
on equity 
US$000

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

+/-10%

-/+248

-/+3,084

+/-1,879

-/+3,663

-/+270

-/+82

+/-11

+/-867

+/-2,026

-/+4,059

+/-424

-/+144

–

–

–

–

+/-32

–

–

–

–

–

+/-37

–

(c)  Credit risk 
Credit risk arises from debtors’ inability to make payment of their obligations to the Group as they become due (without taking into 
account the fair value of any guarantee or pledged assets). The Group is primarily exposed to credit risk as a result of commercial 
activities and non compliance, by counterparties, in transactions in cash which are primarily limited to cash balances deposited in 
banks and accounts receivable at the statement of financial position date. 

Counterparty credit exposure based on commercial activities, including trade and other receivables, embedded derivatives, hedge 
instruments and cash balances in banks as at 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020: 

Summary commercial partners 

Trade receivables 

As at 
31 December 
2021
US$000

% collected as 
at 21 February 
2022

As at 
31 December 
2020
US$000

% collected as 
at 16 February 
2021

27,773

74%

45,353

56%

Other receivables include advances to suppliers and receivables from contractors for the sale of supplies. There is no credit risk on 
these amounts as the Group can withhold the balances that it owes the suppliers or contractors for their services.

Cash and cash equivalents – Credit rating1

A+

A

A-

BBB+

BBB

NA

Total 

As at 
31 December 
2021 
US$000

As at 
31 December 
2020 
US$000

60,000

–

142,740

171,328

–

12,721

386,789

20,000

14,479

79,559

100,421

14,528

2,896

231,883

1  Represents the long-term credit rating as at 3 January 2022 (2020: 4 February 2021). 

As at 31 December 2021, the credit rating of the counterparty of the silver forward hedges is A-.

To manage the credit risk associated with commercial activities, the Group took the following steps:

 – Active use of prepayment/advance clauses in sales contracts.

 – Delaying delivery of title and/or requiring advance payments to reduce exposure timeframe (potential delay in sales recognition).

 – Maintaining as diversified a portfolio of clients as possible.

 178  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 179  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

38  Financial risk management continued
To manage credit risk associated with cash balances deposited in banks, the Group took the following steps:

 – Increasing banking relationships with large, established and well-capitalised institutions in order to secure access to credit and to 

diversify credit risk.

 – Limiting exposure to financial counterparties according to Board approved limits.

 – Investing cash in short-term, highly liquid and low-risk instruments (term deposits mainly).

 – Increasing the utilisation of UK bank accounts.

Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis and the result of the Group’s exposure to bad debts is recognised in the 
consolidated income statement. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in notes 22, 24 and 38(e). 

The Group’s risk assessment procedures includes customer analysis and reviewing financial counterparties. For further details refer 
to the Commentary section of the Commercial Counterparty risk in the Risk Management and Viability Report. 

(d)  Equity risk on financial instruments 
The Group acquires financial instruments in connection with strategic alliances with third parties. The Group constantly monitors 
the fair value of these instruments in order to decide whether or not it is convenient to dispose of these investments. The disposal 
decision is also based on management’s intention to continue with the strategic alliance, the tax implications and changes in the 
share price of the investee. 

At 31 December 2021 the sensitivity to reasonable movements in the share price of financial assets at fair value through OCI of +/- 
25% with all other variables held constant is +/-US$165,000 (2020: +/-US$101,000) recognised in equity. The sensitivity to 
reasonable movements in the share price of financial assets at fair value through profit and loss of +/- 25% with all other variables 
held constant is +/-US$789,000 (2020: +/-US$1,352,000) recognised in the consolidated statement of profit and loss.

(e)  Fair value hierarchy 
The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly 
or indirectly. 

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable 
market data.

As at 31 December 2021 and 2020, the Group held the following financial instruments measured at fair value:

Assets measured at fair value

Equity shares (notes 20 and 21)

Trade receivables (note 22) 

Derivative financial assets

Assets measured at fair value

Equity shares (notes 20 and 21)

Trade receivables (note 22) 

Liabilities measured at fair value

Derivative financial liabilities

31 December 
2021
US$000

3,816

27,773

19,115

31 December 
2020
US$000

5,809

45,353

(6,003)

Level 1 
US$000

3,816

–

–

Level 1 
US$000

5,809

–

–

Level 2 
US$000

–

–

19,115

Level 2 
US$000

–

–

Level 3 
US$000

–

27,773

–

Level 3 
US$000

–

45,353

(6,003)

–

During the period ending 31 December 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers between these levels.

The reconciliation of the financial instruments categorised as level 3 is as follows:

Balance at 1 January 2020

Net change in trade receivables from goods sold 

Changes in fair value of price adjustments (note 5)

Realised price adjustments during the year

Balance at 31 December 2020

Net change in trade receivables from goods sold 

Changes in fair value of price adjustments (note 5)

Realised price adjustments during the year

Balance at 31 December 2021

Trade 
receivables/ 
price 
adjustments
US$000

37,799

6,289

10,999

(9,734)

45,353

(12,969)

(6,614)

2,003

27,773

The impact of the hedging instrument and hedge item on the statement of financial position is as follows:

Silver forward contracts

7.5 million

26.03

Silver ounces 

Average price 
US$/ounce

Change in 
fair value of 
hedging in-
strument used 
for measuring 
ineffectiveness 
for the period
US$000

Change in 
fair value 
of hedged 
item used for 
measuring 
ineffectiveness 
for the period
US$000

Carrying 
amount of 
hedging 
instrument
US$000

19,115

13,476

13,476

Line item  
in the 
 statement of 
financial 
position

Derivative 
financial 
asset

The hedging gain recognised in OCI before tax on silver forward hedges is equal to the change in fair value of the hedged item 
attributable to the hedged risk used for measuring effectiveness. There is no ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss.

Impact of hedging on equity
Set out below is the reconciliation of each component of equity and the analysis of other comprehensive income:

Balance at 1 January 2021

Reclassification adjustments for items included in the income statement on realisation:

Transfer to silver sales (revenue)

Transfer to finance costs

Revaluation arising on the year

Movement in deferred tax

Balance at 31 December 2021

Interest rate 
swap
US$000

(4,169)

–

5,521

392

(1,744)

–

Silver  
forward 
US$000

–

(7,982)

–

27,097

(5,639)

13,476

Total 
US$000

(4,169)

(7,982)

5,521

27,489

(7,383)

13,476

(f)  Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk arises from the Group’s inability to obtain the funds it requires to comply with its commitments, including the inability to sell 
a financial asset quickly enough and at a price close to its fair value. Management constantly monitors the Group’s level of short- and 
medium-term liquidity, and its access to credit lines, in order to ensure appropriate financing is available for its operations.

The table below categorises the undiscounted cash flows of Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the 
remaining period as at the statement of financial position to the contractual maturity date. Interest cash flows have been calculated 
using the spot rate at year end.

At 31 December 2021

Trade and other payables

Borrowings 

Total 

At 31 December 2020

Trade and other payables

Borrowings 

Derivative financial liabilities1

Total 

Less than 
1 year 
US$000

118,110

5,644

123,754

103,419

14,316

1,500

119,235

Between 
1 and 
2 years 
US$000

1,637

30,597

32,234

211

69,124

1,557

70,892

Between 
2 and 
5 years 
US$000

1,177

285,387

286,564

–

135,424

2,946

138,370

Over 
5 years 
US$000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
US$000

120,924

321,628

442,552

103,630

218,864

6,003

328,497

1  The interest rate swap settles the difference between the fixed and floating interest rate on a net basis on a quarterly basis.

 180  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 181  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationThe fair value of the interest rate swap as at 31 December 2020 was as follows:

Current derivative financial liabilities

Non-current derivative financial liabilities

The effect recorded is as follows:

Income statement – Finance costs

Equity – Cash flow hedge reserve 

The Group repaid the interest rate swap on 21 September 2021, paying US$3,774,000.

The effect recorded is as follows:

Income statement – Finance costs

US$000

1,500

4,503

6,003

US$000

90

5,913

US$000

5,521

(h)  Capital risk management 
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to 
provide returns for shareholders, benefits for other stakeholders, and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost 
of capital. Management considers as part of its capital, the financial sources of funding from shareholders and third parties 
(notes 27 and 29).

In 2021 the Group received proceeds from borrowings of US$105,954,000 (2020: US$48,520,000) whilst US$14,793,000 (2020: 
US$37,717,000) was repaid.

Management also retains the right to fund operations (fully owned and with joint venture partners) with a mix of equity and joint 
venture partners’ debt.

39  Subsequent events
The Group entered into a definitive agreement with Amarillo Gold Corporation (‘Amarillo’) to acquire all of the issued and 
outstanding shares of Amarillo at a price of C$0.40 per share in cash (the ‘Cash Offer’). Pursuant to the Transaction, the Group will 
acquire a 100% interest in Amarillo’s flagship Posse gold project (‘Posse’) located in Goiás State, Brazil. The shareholders of Amarillo 
will receive shares in a newly formed company, Lavras Gold Corp., which will hold a stake in the Lavras do Sul project, C$10 million of 
cash, and a 2.0% net smelter revenue royalty on certain exploration properties owned by Amarillo and located outside the current 
Posse resource and mine plan at Amarillo’s Mara Rosa property. The net acquisition cost to Hochschild, including the Cash Offer, 
cash provided to Lavras Gold Corp. and Amarillo’s net cash is estimated to be C$135 million (approximately US$106 million).

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

38  Financial risk management continued
(g)  Interest rate risk 
The Group has financial assets and liabilities which are exposed to interest rate risk. Changes in interest rates primarily impact 
loans and borrowings by changing either their fair value (fixed rate debt) or their future cash flows (variable rate debt). The Group 
does not have a formal policy of determining how much of its exposure should be at fixed or at variable rates. However, at the time 
of taking new loans or borrowings, management applies its judgement to decide whether it believes that a fixed or variable rate 
borrowing would be more favourable to the Group over the expected period until maturity.

Fixed rate

Assets

Floating rate

Liabilities

Fixed rate

Assets

Liabilities

Floating rate

Liabilities

As at 31 December 2021

Between 
1 and 
2 years 
US$000

Between 
2 and 
5 years 
US$000

Over 
5 years 
US$000

Within 
1 year 
US$000 

299,666

–

–

(499)

(25,000)

(275,000)

–

–

Within 
1 year 
US$000 

150,851

(10,628)

As at 31 December 2020

Between 
1 and 
2 years 
US$000

Between 
2 and 
5 years 
US$000

Over 
5 years 
US$000

–

–

–

–

(150)

(66,666)

(132,888)

–

–

–

Total 
US$000

299,666

300,499

Total 
US$000

150,851

(10,628)

(199,704)

Interest on financial instruments classified as floating rate is re-priced at intervals of less than one year. Interest on financial 
instruments classified as fixed rate is fixed until the maturity of the instrument. The other financial instruments of the Group that are 
not included in the above tables are non-interest bearing and are therefore not subject to interest rate risk. 

The sensitivity to a reasonable movement in the interest rate, with all other variables held constant, of the financial instruments with 
a floating rate, determined as a +/-20bps change in interest rates, has a -/+US$600,000 effect on profit before tax (2020: 
-/+US$400,000). The Group is exposed to fluctuations in market interest rates. 

This assumes that the amount remains unchanged from that in place at 31 December 2021 and 2020 and that the change in 
interest rates is effective from the beginning of the year. In reality, the floating rate will fluctuate over the year and interest rates will 
change accordingly. 

Derivative financial liabilities – Interest rate swap
On 14 February 2020, the Group and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount equal 
to the principal of the medium-term loan whereby the Group paid a fixed rate of 2.534% and received interest at a variable rate 
equal to Libor+1.15% on the notional amount from 17 March 2020 to 17 December 2024. The interest rate swap was used to hedge 
the exposure to changes in the cash flows of the Group’s variable rate medium-term loan. In accordance with IFRS 9, this derivative 
instrument was categorised as a cash flow hedge at the inception of the hedging relationship, and on an ongoing basis, the Group 
assessed whether a hedging relationship meets the hedge effectiveness requirements. At a minimum, an entity shall perform the 
ongoing assessment at each reporting date or upon a significant change in the circumstances affecting the hedge effectiveness 
requirements, whichever comes first. The assessment relates to expectations about hedge effectiveness and is therefore only 
forward-looking. 

The Group has established a ratio of 1:1 for the hedging relationship as the underlying risk of the interest rate swap is identical to 
the hedged risk component. The hedging instrument and the hedged item have values that move in the opposite direction due to 
the same risk and, therefore, there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the instrument coverage as the terms 
of the interest rate swap match the terms of the fixed rate loan (i.e., notional amount, maturity and payment dates). That said, it is 
observed that the effectiveness tests comply with the requirements of IFRS 9 and we conclude that the hedging strategy is highly 
effective. There is no ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss.

The fair value of the interest rate swap was calculated using a discounted cash flow model applying a combination of level 1 (USD 
swap curve and USD zero yield curve) and level 2 inputs. This approach results in the fair value measurement categorised in its 
entirety as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. 

 182  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 183  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

Parent company statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2021

Parent company statement of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December 2021

As at 31 December

2021  
US$000

2020  
US$000

Notes

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Investments in subsidiaries

Current assets 

Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

Equity share capital 

Share premium 

Other reserves 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Non-current liabilities 

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

5

6

7

8

8

9

10

9

1,138,762

1,138,762

2,104,219

2,104,219

5,211

528

5,739

2,603

748

3,351

Reconciliation of loss for the year to net cash used in operating activities 

(Loss)/profit for the year

Adjustments to reconcile Company profit to net cash outflows from operating activities 

Impairment/(reversal of impairment) on investment in subsidiary

Share-based payments

Finance income 

Finance costs

Income tax

1,144,501

2,107,570

(Decrease)/increase of cash flows from operations due to changes in assets and liabilities 

226,506

458,267

3,912

435,136

1,123,821

226,506

458,267

2,533

1,127,421

1,814,727

1,837

37

1,874

18,806

18,806

20,680

872

81

953

291,890

291,890

292,843

Other receivables 

Trade and other payables 

Provision for Long-Term Incentive Plan 

Cash used in operating activities 

Interest received

Net cash used in operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities

Repayment of loans to subsidiaries

Dividends collected

Net cash generated from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Dividends paid

Purchase of treasury shares

Repayment of loan from subsidiary

Loans from subsidiaries

1,144,501

2,107,570

Cash flows generated from/(used in) financing activities 

The loss of the Company after tax amounted to US$576,381,000 (2020: profit of US$283,560,000).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 February 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Ignacio Bustamante
Chief Executive Officer 
22 February 2022

Year ended 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020  
US$000

Notes

5

13

10

(576,381)

283,560

966,933

(288,306)

2,442

(397,380)

13

2

1,456

(296)

12

–

(2,637)

(1,496)

824

(44)

(6,228)

1

(6,227)

–

29

29

390

21

(4,659)

1

(4,658)

5,175

–

5,175

12

8(b)

11(a)

7 

(22,022)

(20,556)

–

–

28,000

5,978

(220)

748

528

(292)

(5,000)

25,525

(323)

194

554

748

 184  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 185  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Parent company statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Equity 
share 
capital  
US$000 

Share 
premium 
US$000 

Treasury 
shares 
US$000

Notes

Balance at 1 January 2020

Other comprehensive income

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Exercise of share options

Dividends 

Purchase of treasury shares

Share-based payments

Balance at 31 December 2020

Other comprehensive income

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Exercise of share options

Dividends 

Dividends in specie

Share-based payments

226,506

458,267

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

226,506

458,267

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8(b)

12

8(b)

8(c)

8(c)

12

12

8(c)

Balance at 31 December 2021

226,506

458,267

–

–

–

–

292

–

(292)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Other reserves
Share-
based 
payment 
reserve 
US$000

Total other 
reserves 
US$000 

Retained 
earnings 
US$000 

Total equity 
US$000 

2,164

2,164

863,622 1,550,559

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

283,560

283,560

283,560

283,560

(1,087)

(1,087)

795

–

–

–

1,456

2,533

–

–

–

–

–

1,456

(20,556)

(20,556)

–

–

(292)

1,456

2,533

1,127,421 1,814,727

–

–

–

–

–

(576,381)

(576,381)

(576,381)

(576,381)

(1,063)

(1,063)

1,063

–

–

–

2,442

3,912

–

–

2,442

3,912

(22,022)

(22,022)

(94,945)

(94,945)

–

2,442

435,136 1,123,821

1  Corporate information 
Hochschild Mining PLC (hereinafter ‘the Company’) is a public 
limited company incorporated on 11 April 2006 under the 
Companies Act 1985 as a Limited Company and registered in 
England and Wales with registered number 05777693.

The Company’s registered office is located at 17 Cavendish 
Square, London W1G 0PH, United Kingdom. The Company was 
incorporated to serve as a holding company to be listed on the 
London Stock Exchange. The Company acquired its interest in a 
group of companies to constitute the Hochschild Mining Group 
(‘the Group’) pursuant to a share exchange agreement (‘Share 
Exchange Agreement’) dated 2 November 2006. 

The ultimate controlling party of the Company is Mr Eduardo 
Hochschild whose beneficial interest in the Company and its 
subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’ or ‘Hochschild Mining Group’) 
is 38.32% and it is held through Pelham Investment Corporation, 
a Cayman Islands company.

On 8 November 2006, the Company’s shares were admitted to 
the Official List of the UKLA (United Kingdom Listing Authority) 
and to trading on the London Stock Exchange. 

2  Significant accounting policies 
(a)  Basis of preparation 
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with UK adopted International Accounting 
Standards. The Company applies the same Group policies, 
unless there is an exception in its financial statements.

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared 
on a historical cost basis. The financial statements are 
presented in US dollars (US$) and all monetary amounts are 
rounded to the nearest thousand ($000) except when 
otherwise indicated. 

(b)  Going concern
The financial position of the Company is set out in the statement 
of financial position. The Company has received a support letter 
from its wholly owned subsidiary, Hochschild Mining Holdings 
Ltd (‘HM Holdings’), indicating that it will not request a 
repayment of the interest-free loan of US$12,000,000 for the 
period to 31 March 2023.

The ability for the Company to continue as a going concern is 
dependent on Compañía Minera Ares S.A.C. (‘Minera Ares’), 
another wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, providing 
additional funding to the extent that the operating inflows of the 
Company are insufficient to meet future cash requirements. 
The Company has obtained a letter of support from Minera 
Ares indicating that the financial support will continue until 31 
March 2023.

Considering the support available from the subsidiaries 
described above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Company has adequate resources to continue in 
operation until 31 March 2023, being a period of at least 12 
months from the date of these financial statements. These 
considerations included the impact of the Covid pandemic on 
the wider Hochschild Group and the Hochschild Group Directors’ 
assessment of going concern. Accordingly, the financial 
statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.

(c)  Exemptions 
The Company’s financial statements are included in the 
Hochschild Mining Group consolidated financial statements for 
the years ended 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020. As 
permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the 
Company has not presented its own profit and loss account. 

(d)  Changes in accounting policy and disclosures 
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
financial statements are consistent with those applied in the 
preparation of the Company financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2020. Amendments to standards and 
interpretations which came into force during the year did not 
have a significant impact on the financial statements. 

(e)  Investments in subsidiaries 
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Company controls 
operating and financial policies, generally by owning more than 
50% of voting rights. Investments in subsidiaries are recognised 
at acquisition cost less any provision for impairment. The 
Company assesses investments for impairment whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
value of an investment may not be recoverable. If any such 
indication of impairment exists, the Company makes an 
estimate of its recoverable amount. Where the carrying amount 
of an investment exceeds its recoverable amount, the 
investment is considered impaired and is written down to its 
recoverable amount. If, in subsequent periods, the amount of the 
impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related 
objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was 
recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is 
reversed. Any subsequent reversal of an impairment loss is 
recognised in the profit and loss account, to the extent that the 
carrying value of the asset does not exceed its amortised cost at 
the reversal date.

(f)  Dividends receivable 
Dividends are recognised when the Company’s right to receive 
payments is established. Dividends received are recorded in the 
income statement. 

Dividends distributions of non-cash assets are recognised at 
fair value.

(g)  Judgements in applying accounting policies and key 
sources of estimation uncertainty 
Certain amounts included in the financial statements involve the 
use of judgement and/or estimation. These judgements and 
estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the 
relevant facts and circumstances, having regard to prior 
experience, but actual results may differ from the amounts 
included in the financial statements. Information about such 
judgements and estimation is contained in the accounting 
policies and/or the notes to the financial statements. 

Significant estimates:

 – Impairment in subsidiaries – notes 2(e) and 5

   Estimates are required to be made by management in 

determining the recoverable value of the investments in 
subsidiaries. The Company tested its investment in subsidiary 
determining the recoverable value using a fair value less cost 
of disposal, that was determined with reference to the market 
capitalisation of the Company, to which a control premium is 
applied. Judgement is involved in determining the control 
premium rate to be paid by market participants in an arm’s 
length transaction.

Critical judgements: 

 – Income tax – note 2(n)

   The Company analyses the possibility of generation of 

profit and determines the recognition of deferred tax. No 
deferred tax asset is being recognised by the Company as 
it does not expect to generate any profit to settle the 
temporary difference.

 186  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 187  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Significant accounting policies continued
(h)  Other receivables 
Other receivables are initially recognised at fair value less 
provision made for impairment of these receivables. Non-
current receivables are stated at amortised cost. A provision for 
impairment of trade receivables is established using the 
expected credit loss impairment model according to IFRS 9. The 
amount of the provision is the difference between the carrying 
amount and the recoverable amount and this difference is 
recognised in the income statement. 

(i)  Currency translation 
The functional currency of the Company is the US dollar and is 
determined by the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which its subsidiaries operate and therefore 
drives their ability to pay dividends.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the 
functional currency of the Company are initially recorded in the 
functional currency using the exchange rate ruling at the date of 
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are remeasured at the rate of exchange 
ruling at the statement of financial position date. Exchange 
gains and losses on settlement of foreign currency transactions 
which are translated at the rate prevailing at the date of the 
transactions, or on the translation of monetary assets and 
liabilities which are translated at period-end exchange rates, are 
taken to the income statement. Non-monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at 
historical cost are translated to the functional currency at the 
foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. 

(j)  Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents are carried in the statement of 
financial position at cost. For the purposes of the statement of 
financial position, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in 
hand and deposits held with banks that are readily convertible 
into known amounts of cash within three months or less and 
which are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value. For 
the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash 
equivalents as defined above are shown net of outstanding 
bank overdrafts. 

(k)  Share capital 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Any excess above the 
par value of shares received upon issuance of those shares is 
classified as share premium. In the case the excess above par 
value is available for distribution, it is classified as merger 
reserve and then transferred to retained earnings.

(l)  Share-based payments 
Cash-settled transactions
The fair value of cash-settled share plans is recognised as a 
liability over the vesting period of the awards. Movements in that 
liability between reporting dates are recognised as personnel 
expenses. The fair value of the awards is taken to be the market 
value of the shares at the date of award adjusted by a factor for 
anticipated relative TSR performance. Fair values are 
subsequently remeasured at each reporting date to reflect the 
number of awards expected to vest based on the current and 
anticipated TSR performance. 

Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair 
value at the date when the grant is made using an appropriate 
valuation model and is recognised, together with a 
corresponding increase in other reserves in equity, over the 
period in which the performance and/or service conditions are 
fulfilled. The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled 
transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date 
reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and 
the Company’s best estimate of the number of equity 
instruments that vest. The income statement expense for a 

period represents the movement in cumulative expense 
recognised as at the beginning and end of that period and is 
recognised in personnel expenses.

Service and non-market performance conditions are not 
taken into account when determining the grant date fair value 
of awards, but the likelihood of the conditions being met is 
assessed as part of the Company’s best estimate of the number 
of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. Market 
performance conditions are reflected within the grant date 
fair value. Any other conditions attached to an award, but 
without an associated service requirement, are considered to 
be non-vesting conditions. Non-vesting conditions are reflected 
in the fair value of an award and lead to an immediate 
expensing of an award unless there are also service and/or 
performance conditions. No expense is recognised for awards 
that do not ultimately vest because non-market performance 
and/or service conditions have not been met. Where awards 
include a market or non-vesting condition, the transactions are 
treated as vested irrespective of whether the market or non-
vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
performance and/or service conditions are satisfied. When the 
terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum 
expense recognised is the grant date fair value of the 
unmodified award, provided the original vesting terms of the 
award are met. An additional expense, measured as at the 
date≈of modification, is recognised for any modification that 
increases the total fair value of the share-based payment 
transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee. Where 
an award is cancelled by the entity or by the counterparty, any 
remaining element of the fair value of the award is expensed 
immediately through profit or loss.

(m)  Finance income and costs 
Finance income and costs mainly comprise interest income on 
funds invested, interest expense on borrowings and foreign 
exchange gains and losses. Interest income and costs are 
recognised as they accrue, taking into account the effective 
yield on the asset and liability, respectively. 

(n)  Income tax 
Income tax for the year comprises current and deferred tax. 
Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to the 
extent that it relates to items charged or credited directly to 
equity, in which case it is recognised in equity. 

Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable 
income for the year, using tax rates enacted at the statement of 
financial position date, and any adjustment to tax payable in 
respect of previous years. 

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability 
method, providing for temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes with the 
following exemptions: 

 – where the temporary difference arises from the initial 
recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a 
transaction that is not a business combination that at the time 
of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable 
profit or loss; 

 – in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with 
investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, 
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences 
can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary 
differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates 
that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled based on the tax rates (and tax 
laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
statement of financial position date. 

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable profits will be available against 
which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced 
to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax 
benefit will be realised. 

(o)  Financial instruments 
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a 
financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity 
instrument of another entity.

Financial assets
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as 
subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other 
comprehensive income (OCI), and fair value through profit or loss.

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends 
on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and 
the Company’s business model for managing them. 

The Company’s business model for managing financial assets 
refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate 
cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will 
result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial 
assets, or both.

Subsequent measurement
The Company measures financial assets at amortised cost 
(debt instruments) if both of the following conditions are met:

 – The financial asset is held within a business model with the 

objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual 
cash flows, and

 – The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on 

specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding

Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured 
using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to 
impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss 
when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.

The Company’s financial assets at amortised cost include 
trade receivables.

Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset 
or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily 
derecognised (i.e., removed from the Company’s consolidated 
statement of financial position) when:

 – the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

 – the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows 

from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the 
received cash flows in full without material delay to a third 
party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the 
Company has transferred substantially all the risks and 
rewards of the asset, or (b) the Company has neither 
transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards 
of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

Impairment of financial assets
The Company recognises an allowance for expected credit losses 
(ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit 
or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual 
cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash 
flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at an 
approximation of the original effective interest rate. 

For other receivables, the Company applies a simplified approach 
in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Company does not track 
changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance 
based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date.

Financial liabilities
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as 
financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and 
borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging 
instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in 
the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly 
attributable transaction costs.

The Company’s financial liabilities include trade and other 
payables, loans and borrowings including bank overdrafts, and 
financial guarantee liabilities.

Subsequent measurement
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest rate (EIR) method. Gains and losses are 
recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised 
as well as through the EIR amortisation process.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any 
discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an 
integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as 
finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.

This category generally applies to interest-bearing loans 
and borrowings. 

Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the 
liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing 
financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on 
substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability 
are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is 
treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the 
recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective 
carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

(p)  Financial guarantees 
Financial guarantees are initially recognised in the financial 
statements at fair value at the time the guarantee is issued. The 
Company estimates the fair value of the financial guarantee 
contract as the difference between the net present value of the 
contractual cash flows required under a debt instrument, and 
the net present value of the net contractual cash flows that 
would have been required without the guarantee. The present 
value is calculated using a risk-free interest rate. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company’s liability under 
each guarantee is measured at the higher of the amount initially 
recognised less cumulative amortisation recognised in profit 
and loss, and the amount of ECL. Financial guarantee ECL 
reflect the cash shortfalls adjusted by the risks that are specific 
to the cash flows. If the ECL exceeds the initially recognised 
guarantee amount less cumulative amortisation the difference 
is taken to profit and loss. 

A financial guarantee liability is derecognised when the liability 
underlying the guarantee is discharged or cancelled or expires, 
or if the guarantee is withdrawn or cancelled. The carrying 
amount of the financial guarantee is taken to the statement of 
profit or loss.

(q)  Dividend distribution 
Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is 
recognised as a liability in the Company’s financial statements 
in the period in which the dividends are approved by the 
Company’s shareholders.

The Company measures a liability to distribute non-cash 
assets as a dividend to its owners at the fair value of the assets 
to be distributed.

 188  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 189  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

3  Profit and loss account
The Company made a loss attributable to equity shareholders of US$576,381,000 (2020: profit of US$283,560,000).

4  Property, plant and equipment
At 31 December 2021 and 2020 the Company has property, plant and equipment with cost of equipment of US$265,000 which is 
fully depreciated.

There were no additions during 2020 and 2021.

5  Investments in subsidiaries 

Year ended 31 December 2020

Cost 

At 1 January 2020

At 31 December 2020

Accumulated impairment 

At 1 January 2020

Reversal of impairment 

At 31 December 2020

Net book value at 31 December 2020

Year ended 31 December 2021

Cost 

At 1 January 2021

Additions

Disposals

At 31 December 2021

Accumulated impairment 

At 1 January 2021

Impairment 

At 31 December 2021

Net book value at 31 December 2021

Total  
US$000

2,337,482

2,337,482

521,569

(288,306)

233,263

2,104,219

2,337,482

95,160

(93,684)

2,338,958

233,263

966,933

1,200,196

1,138,762

HM Holdings had interests over a Chilean company named REE UNO SpA. This entity holds the project Aclara (formerly named 
Biolantanidos), which is located in the south of Chile, and is currently focused on the development of the Penco module, which will 
aim to produce a rare earth concentrate through a processing plant that will be fed by clays from nearby deposits. 

The Hochschild Group wanted to separate the Aclara project from its other businesses dedicated to the extraction and production 
of gold and silver. For this purpose, a new company named Aclara Resources Inc. located in Canada (hereinafter, ‘Aclara’) was 
incorporated by HM Holdings. The investment held in REE UNO SpA was then transferred to Aclara. 

A distribution of 70,606,502 Aclara shares, representing 80% of the Aclara shares, was made to the Company by HM Holdings on 3 
December 2021 by way of a dividend in specie. The value of the dividend received was C$120,031,053 in aggregate (equivalent to 
US$93,684,000 at that date). The dividend distribution was recognised by the Company at fair value, based on the offering price of 
C$1.70 per Aclara share (the Offering Price).

On 10 December 2021, a distribution of the Aclara shares held by the Company was made to the holders of ordinary shares of the 
Company by way of a dividend in specie (the ‘Demerger Dividend’). The approval of the Group’s shareholders in respect of the 
Demerger Dividend was granted at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 5 November 2021. The Aclara Initial Public Offering 
(‘IPO’) was completed later that day. Once the Aclara IPO was completed, Aclara became an independent company listed on the 
Toronto Stock Exchange.

The ratio of Demerged Aclara shares to the number of ordinary shares in the Company was 70,606,502 to 513,875,563. 
Therefore, the shareholders who were entitled to receive the Demerger Dividend received 0.1374 Aclara shares for each ordinary 
share in the Group. The value of the Demerger Dividend is C$120,031,053 (equivalent to US$94,945,000) in aggregate based on 
the Offering Price.

The fair value of the dividends received and paid is therefore a level 1 fair value measurement.

In 2021, the Company tested its investment in subsidiary for impairment in light of decreases in the Company’s publicly listed share 
price. As a result of this test, the Company recognised an impairment of the investment in HM Holdings of US$966,933,000.

In 2020, the Company tested its investment in subsidiary for impairment reversal in light of increases in the Company’s publicly 
listed share price. As a result of this test, the Company recognised an impairment reversal of the investment in HM Holdings of 
US$288,306,000.

The recoverable value of the investment in HM Holdings was determined using a fair value less costs of disposal. The fair value less 
costs of disposal was determined with reference to the market capitalisation of the Company at 31 December 2021 translated 
from pounds sterling into US dollars using the year-end exchange rate (both Level 1 inputs), to which a control premium was 
added based on recent market transactions (a Level 2 input), and subsequently adjusted for the assets and liabilities held directly 
by the Company, which results in fair value measurements categorised in their entirety as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. A Level 
1 input refers to quoted prices in active markets, while a Level 2 input corresponds to other information that can be observed 
directly or indirectly. 

A positive/adverse change of 10% of the market capitalisation would result in an additional decrease/increase to the impairment 
recognised by US$112,810,000 (2020: additional increase/reduction to the reversal of impairment recognised by US$181,638,000). 
A change in the control premium would have the following impact over the impairment recognised in 2021 and the reversal of 
impairment recognised in 2020 as follows:

Control premium (increase by 5%)

Control premium (decrease by 5%)

The breakdown of the investments in subsidiaries is as follows: 

As at 
31 December 
2021
US$000

As at 
31 December 
2020
US$000

(45,124)

45,124

72,655

(72,655)

Name 

As at 31 December 2021
Equity interest 
% 

Country of 
incorporation 

Carrying value 
US$000 

As at 31 December 2020
Equity interest 
% 

Country of 
incorporation 

Hochschild Mining Holdings Ltd

England and Wales

100%

1,138,762

England and Wales

100%

Total 

1,138,762

Carrying value 
US$000 

2,104,219

2,104,219

The list of indirectly held subsidiaries of the Company is presented in note 1 (Corporate information) of the notes to the consolidated 
financial statements. 

During 2021 the Company recorded a capital contribution of $1,476,000 related to the financial guarantee granted over some 
borrowings entered into by Minera Ares, one of its indirectly held subsidiaries (note 9).

6  Other receivables 

Amounts receivable from subsidiaries (note 11)

Prepayments

Receivable from Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander

Other receivable

Provision for impairment1

Total

Less current balance

1  Corresponds to the balance of the impairment of cash deposits with Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander of US$197,000 accrued in 2008 (2020: US$201,000). 

The fair values of other receivables approximate their book values. 

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables: 

At 1 January 2020

Provided during the year

At 31 December 2020

Provided during the year

At 31 December 2021

As at 31 December 2021 and 2020, none of the financial assets classified as receivables (net of impairment) were past due. 

Year ended 31 December

2021  
US$000

4,640

567

200

1

5,408

(197)

5,211

(5,211)

2020  
US$000

2,371

231

201

1

2,804

(201)

2,603

(2,603)

Total  
US$000

197

4

201

(4)

197

 190  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 191  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

7  Cash and cash equivalents 

Bank current account1

Time deposits2

Cash and cash equivalents considered for the cash flow statement 

1  Relates to bank accounts which are freely available and bear interest.
2  These deposits have an average maturity of nil days (2020: nil days).

8  Equity 
(a)  Share capital and share premium 
Issued share capital 
The issued share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Class of shares 

Ordinary shares 

Year ended 31 December

2021  
US$000

2020  
US$000

319

209

528

411

337

748

Issued

Number 

Amount 

513,875,563 £128,468,891

At 31 December 2021 and 2020, all issued shares with a par value of 25 pence each were fully paid (weighted average of US$0.441 
per share). 

The changes in share capital are as follows:

Shares issued as at 1 January 2020

Shares issued as at 31 December 2020

Shares issued as at 31 December 2021

Number of 
shares

Share capital 
US$000

Share premium 
US$000

513,875,563

513,875,563

513,875,563

226,506

226,506

226,506

458,267

458,267

458,267

Rights attached to ordinary shares 
At general meetings of the Company, on a show of hands and on a poll, every member who is present in person or subject to the 
below by proxy has one vote for every share of which they are the holder/proxy. However, in the case of a vote on a show of hands 
where a proxy has been appointed by more than one member, the proxy has one vote for and one vote against if the proxy has been 
instructed by one or more members to vote for the resolution and by one or more members to vote against the resolution. 

(b)  Treasury shares
Treasury shares represent the cost of Hochschild Mining PLC shares purchased in the market and held by the trustee of the 
Hochschild Mining Employee Share Trust to satisfy the award of conditional shares under the Company’s Enhanced Long-Term 
Incentive Plan granted to the CEO (note 2(l)). 

The movements in the treasury shares are as follows:

 – On 30 March 2020, the Group purchased 182,941 shares for a total consideration of £234,000 (equivalent to US$292,000).

 – On 30 March 2020, 182,941 treasury shares with a value of US$292,000 (being the cost incurred to acquire the shares) were 

transferred to the CEO of the Group with respect to the Enhanced Long-Term Incentive Plan.

At 31 December 2021 the balance of treasury shares is nil (31 December 2020: nil).

(c)  Other reserves 
Share-based payment reserve
The share-based payment reserve is used to recognise the value of equity-settled share-based payment transactions provided to 
employees, as a part of their remuneration. 

Refer to note 29(c) to the consolidated financial statements for details of the share-based payment reserve at 31 December 2021 
and 2020.

(d) Retained earnings
Merger reserve 
The merger reserve represents the difference between the value of the net assets of the Cayman Holding Companies (Ardsley, 
Garrison, Larchmont and Hochschild Mining (Peru)) acquired under the Share Exchange Agreement and the nominal value of the 
shares issued in consideration of such acquisition. 

The merger reserve is disclosed under retained earnings.

Contained within retained earnings is a merger reserve which mainly represents the difference between the fair value of the net 
assets of the Cayman Holding Companies acquired under the Share Exchange Agreement dated 2 November 2006 and the 
nominal value of the shares issued in consideration of such acquisitions. During the period ended 31 December 2021, 
US$966,933,000 was realised as a result of the impairment of the investment in subsidiary recorded in the period (note 5). As at 31 
December 2021 US$198,398,000 of the merger reserve remained within retained earnings, which balance is unrealised and not 
available for distribution:

As at 1 January 2020

Reversal of impairment of investment in subsidiary (note 5)

As at 31 December 2020

Impairment of investment in subsidiary (note 5)

As at 31 December 2021

9  Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Payables to subsidiaries (note 11 (a))

Remuneration payable

Taxes and contributions

Financial guarantees1

Others

Total

US$000

877,025

288,306

1,165,331

(966,933)

198,398

Current  
US$000

286

290,952

244

113

295

As at 31 December

2020

Non-current 
US$000

–

–

–

–

872

Current  
US$000

1,922

15,930

251

177

495

31

18,806

872

291,890

2021

Non-current 
US$000

–

–

–

–

1,837

–

1,837

1 

 The Company provided a financial guarantee to the bank loan entered into by its subsidiary Minera Ares. The financial guarantee was recognised at its fair value at initial 
recognition of US$2,948,000 (US$1,472,000 recognised in 2019 and an additional US$1,476,000 recognised in 2021). This fair value was determined through the use of certain level 
3 estimates, the most significant of which being the estimated rate of interest Minera Ares would have been charged were it not for the guarantee provided by the Company. 

Trade payables mainly relate to the purchase of third-party services. These payables do not accrue interest and no guarantees 
have been granted in relation to these payables. The fair value of trade and other payables approximate their book values.

10  Provisions 

Beginning balance

(Decrease)/increase in provision, net

At 31 December 

Less: current portion

Non-current portion

As at 31 December

2021 
US$000

2020 
US$000

81

(44)

37

–

37

60

21

81

–

81

 Corresponds to the provision related to awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) to designated personnel of the 
Company. Includes the following benefits: (i) 2020 awards, granted in February 2020, payable in February 2023, as 50% in cash, (ii) 
2019 awards, granted in July 2019, payable in February 2022, as 50% in cash with a result of US$nil. Only employees who remain in 
the Group’s employment on the vesting date will be entitled to vested awards, subject to exceptions approved by the Remuneration 
Committee of the Board. Refer to footnote 2 of note 28 to the consolidated financial statements for details of the LTIP awards and 
assumptions used for the valuation as at 31 December 2021 and 2020. 

 192  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 193  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationNOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

11  Related-party balances and transactions 
(a)  Related-party accounts receivable and payable 
The Company had the following related-party balances and transactions during the years ended 31 December 2021 and 31 
December 2020. 

Subsidiaries 

Compañía Minera Ares S.A.C.1

Hochschild Mining Holdings Ltd2

Other subsidiaries

Total

As at 31 December 2021

As at 31 December 2020

Accounts 
receivable 
US$000

Accounts 
payable 
US$000

Accounts 
receivable 
US$000

Accounts 
payable 
US$000

3,413

–

1,227

4,640

3,906

12,000

24

15,930

1,416

–

955

2,371

3,545

287,385

22

290,952

1 

 The account receivable mainly relates to the LTIP 2021, LTIP 2020, LTIP 2019 and LTIP 2018 (50% paid in shares that are going to be paid by Hochschild Mining PLC on behalf of 
Minera Ares). The account payable mainly relates to the services performed by Minera Ares to the Company, which during 2021 amounts to US$361,000 (2020: US$508,000). The 
Company provided certain financial guarantees on behalf of Minera Ares (note 9).

2   Relates to loans receivable by and payable to HM Holdings. The loan payable is repayable on demand and is free of interest. During the year the Company received cash proceeds 

from loans of US$28,000,000. A dividend of US$303,385,000 was received in September 2021 offsetting against amounts payable to HM Holdings (refer to note 13).
 In February 2022, the Company received a support letter from HM Holdings indicating that it will not request a repayment of the interest-free loan of US$12,000,000 for the period to 
31 March 2023.

The fair values of the receivables and payables approximate their book values. Transactions between the Company and these 
companies are on an arm’s length basis. 

(b)  Compensation of key management personnel of the Company 
Key management personnel include the Directors who receive remuneration. The amount of this remuneration totals US$1,149,000 
(2020: US$1,030,000).

12  Dividends paid and proposed 

Dividends paid and proposed during the year

Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

Final dividend for 2020: 2.335 US cents per share (2019: nil US cents per share)

Interim dividend for 2021: 1.95 US cents per share (2020: 4.000 US cents per share)

Total dividends paid in cash

Dividends in specie paid with Aclara shares (note 5)

Total dividends paid on ordinary shares

Proposed dividends on ordinary shares:

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

12,002

10,020

22,022

94,945

-

20,556

20,556

-

116,967

20,556

Final dividend for 2021: 2.335 US cents per share (2020: 2.335 US cents per share)

12,000

12,002

In August 2021, the Board became aware of an issue concerning technical compliance with the Companies Act 2006 in relation to 
the 2017 final dividend, the 2018 interim and final dividends, the 2019 interim dividend, and the 2020 interim and final dividends (the 
‘Relevant Dividends’). In particular, the Relevant Dividends were paid to shareholders when the Company did not have adequate 
distributable reserves. 

Significant corrective transactions (namely, a capital reduction and dividend distribution by HM Holdings) were implemented by the 
Company in September 2021, shortly after discovery of the issue. Had these internal corporate transactions been implemented 
prior to the payment of the 2017 final dividend, adequate distributable reserves would have been available to the Company.

As previously reported, the Board intends to put resolutions to shareholders at a General Meeting to i) complete the rectification of 
this past issue and ii) increase further, to the extent practicable, the level of Distributable Reserves available to the Company.

Dividends per share 

The interim dividend paid in September 2021 was US$10,020,000 (1.954 US cents per share). A dividend in specie amounting to 
US$94,945,000 was paid in December 2021 (refer to note 5). 

A proposed dividend in respect of the year ending 31 December 2021 of 2.335 US cents per share, amounting to a total dividend of 
US$12,000,000, is subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 26 May 2022 and is not recognised as a liability 
as at 31 December 2021. 

13  Finance income 

Dividends received

Interests on deposits

Income from guarantee

Total

Dividends received 

2021
US$000

397,069

1

310

397,380

2020
US$000

-

1

295

296

During 2021 HM Holdings declared total dividends amounting to US$397,069,000 as follows:

 – On 28 September 2021, a dividend of US$303,385,000 which was offset against amounts payable to HM Holdings for the 

same amount.

 – On 3 December 2021, a dividend in specie with fair value of US$93,684,000 was received, representing 70,606,502 shares in Aclara 

(refer to note 5).

14  Financial risk management 
The Company is exposed to a variety of risks and uncertainties which may have an impact on the achievement of financial and 
economic objectives. These risks include strategic, operational and financial risk and are further categorised into risk areas to 
facilitate risk assessment. 

The Company is not exposed to significant sources of commodity price, equity or interest rate risk. 

(a)  Foreign currency risk 
Due to the operations of the Company, it has cash and cash equivalents and trade payables denominated in pounds sterling. 
Accordingly, the financial results of the Company may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. The Company does not use 
derivative instruments to manage its foreign currency risks. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of financial assets and 
liabilities, at the reporting date denominated in their respective currencies, to a reasonably possible change in the US dollar 
exchange rate, with all other variables held constant, of the Company’s profit before tax and the Company’s equity. 

Year

2021

Pounds sterling

2020

Pounds sterling

Increase/ 
decrease in 
US$/other 
currencies rate

Effect  
on profit  
before tax  
US$000

Effect  
on equity  
US$000

+/-10%

-/+49

+/-10%

+/-14

–

–

(b)  Credit risk 
The Company is primarily exposed to credit risk in transactions in cash which are primarily limited to cash balances deposited in 
banks and accounts receivable at the statement of financial position date. The Company has evaluated and introduced efforts to 
try to mitigate credit risk exposure. 

To manage credit risk associated with cash balances deposited in banks, the Company is: 

 – increasing banking relationships with large, established and well-capitalised institutions in order to secure access to credit and to 

diversify credit risk;

 – investing cash in short-term, highly liquid and low-risk instruments (term deposits);

 – maintaining excess cash abroad in hard currency.

Credit risk concentrations exist when changes in economic, industrial or geographic factors take place, affecting in the same 
manner the Company’s counterparties whose added risk exposure is significant to the Company’s total credit exposure. Receivable 
balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Company’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. The 
maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in note 6. 

 194  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 195  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

PROFIT BY OPER ATION 1 (SEGMENT REPORT RECONCILIATION) AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

Inmaculada

San Jose

Pallancata

452,835

(225,492)

6,135

(219,357)

(134,110)

(76,828)

(3,489)

(5,545)

615

227,343

–

–

(616)

–

258,972

(192,163)

(400)

(192,563)

(122,449)

(49,054)

–

(20,332)

(728)

66,809

–

–

(14,195)

–

Consolidation 
adjustment  
and others

464

5,525

(5,525)

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,989

(51,905)

(39,848)

–

(172)

(85,936)

(25,709)

(169)

3,946

(32,061)

(2,424)

99,116

(98,153)

(210)

(98,363)

(66,859)

(22,960)

(3,023)

(5,314)

(207)

963

–

–

(620)

–

343

–

–

–

–

–

Total/HOC

811,387

(510,283)

–

(510,283)

(323,418)

(148,842)

(6,512)

(31,191)

(320)

301,104

(51,905)

(39,848)

(15,431)

(172)

193,748

(25,709)

(169)

3,946

(32,061)

(2,424)

137,331

(66,225)

71,106

14  Financial risk management continued
(c)  Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk arises from the Company’s inability to obtain the funds it requires to comply with its commitments. Management 
constantly monitors the Company’s level of short- and medium-term liquidity in order to ensure appropriate financing is available 
for its operations.

The Company is funded by HM Holdings through loans in order to meet its obligations. Liquidity is supported by the balance 
of cash and cash equivalents held by the Company of US$528,000 (2020: US$748,000) and the financial support provided by 
Minera Ares (see note 2(b). The Company also serves as principal funding conduit for the Group’s capital raising activities such 
as equity issuances.

The table below analyses the Company’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period to the 
contractual maturity date: 

At 31 December 2021

Trade and other payables

At 31 December 2020

Trade and other payables

Less than  
1 year  
US$000

18,134

291,482

Between  
1 and  
2 years  
US$000

Between  
2 and 
 5 years  
US$000

Over  
5 years  
US$000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
 US$000 

18,134

291,482

Group (US$000) 

Revenue

Cost of sales (pre consolidation)

Consolidation adjustment

Cost of sales (post consolidation)

Production cost excluding depreciation

Depreciation in production cost

Workers’ profit sharing

Other items

Change in inventories

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Exploration expenses

Selling expenses

Other income/(expenses)

The table below analyses the maximum amounts payable under financial guarantees provided to Minera Ares (note 9), considering 
that if the guarantees were to be called, the guaranteed amounts would be due immediately: 

Impairment and write-off of non-current assets

Share of post-tax losses from associate

Less than  
1 year  
US$000

Between  
1 and  
2 years  
US$000

Between  
2 and 
 5 years  
US$000

Over  
5 years  
US$000

Total 
 US$000 

Finance income

Finance costs

Foreign exchange loss

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Operating profit before impairment 

226,727

52,614

At 31 December 2021

Financial guarantees1

At 31 December 2020

Financial guarantees1

300,000,000

200,000,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

300,000,000

200,000,000

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations before  
income tax

Income tax

226,727

52,614

343

(142,353)

(66,225)

Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations

226,727

52,614

343

(208,578)

1   Not including any accumulated interest that may be payable at the call date. 

1  On a post-exceptional basis.

(d)  Capital risk management 
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order 
to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the 
cost of capital. Management considers as part of its capital the financial sources of funding from shareholders and third parties 
(notes 8 and 9). In order to ensure an appropriate return for shareholders’ capital invested in the Company, management monitors 
capital thoroughly and evaluates all material projects and potential acquisitions before submission to the Board for ultimate 
approval, where applicable.

 196  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 197  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther InformationRESERVES AND RESOURCES

Ore reserves and mineral resources estimates 
Hochschild Mining PLC reports its mineral resources and reserves estimates in accordance with the Australasian Code for 
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves 2012 edition (“the JORC Code”). This establishes minimum 
standards, recommendations and guidelines for the public reporting of exploration results and mineral resources and reserves 
estimates. In doing so it emphasises the importance of principles of transparency, materiality and confidence. The information on 
ore reserves and mineral resources on pages 198 to 200 was prepared by or under the supervision of Competent Persons (as 
defined in the JORC Code). Competent Persons are required to have sufficient relevant experience and understanding of the style 
of mineralisation, types of deposits and mining methods in the area of activity for which they are qualified as a Competent Person 
under the JORC Code. The Competent Person must sign off their respective estimates of the original mineral resource and ore 
reserve statements for the various operations and consent to the inclusion of that information in this report, as well as the form and 
context in which it appears. 

Hochschild Mining PLC employs its own Competent Person who has audited all the estimates set out in this report. Hochschild 
Mining Group companies are subject to a comprehensive programme of audits which aim to provide assurance in respect of ore 
reserve and mineral resource estimates. These audits are conducted by Competent Persons provided by independent consultants. 
The frequency and depth of an audit depends on the risks and/or uncertainties associated with that particular ore reserve and 
mineral resource, the overall value thereof and the time that has lapsed since the previous independent third-party audit. 

The JORC Code requires the use of reasonable economic assumptions. These include long-term commodity price forecasts (which, 
in the Group’s case, are prepared by ex-house specialists largely using estimates of future supply and demand and long-term 
economic outlooks). 

Ore reserve estimates are dynamic and are influenced by changing economic conditions, technical issues, environmental 
regulations and any other relevant new information and therefore these can vary from year-to-year. Mineral resource estimates can 
also change and tend to be influenced mostly by new information pertaining to the understanding of the deposit and secondly the 
conversion to ore reserves. 

The estimates of ore reserves and mineral resources are shown as at 31 December 2021, unless otherwise stated. Mineral resources 
that are reported include those mineral resources that have been modified to produce ore reserves. All tonnage and grade 
information has been rounded to reflect the relative uncertainty in the estimates; there may therefore be small differences. The 
prices used for the reserves calculation were: Au Price: US$1,800 per ounce and Ag Price: US$26.0 per ounce.

Attributable metal reserves as at 31 December 2021

Reserve category 

OPERATIONS1

Inmaculada

Proved 

Probable 

Total

Pallancata

Proved

Probable

Total

San Jose 

Proved 

Probable 

Total 

GRAND TOTAL

Proved

Probable

TOTAL

Proved and 
probable  
(t) 

1,637,395

5,002,635

6,640,030

524,132

393,336

917,468

396,524

365,792

762,315

2,558,050

5,761,763

8,319,813

 Ag  
(g/t) 

Au  
(g/t) 

Ag  
(moz) 

Au  
(koz) 

Ag Eq 
(moz) 

168

140

147

265

187

231

368

314

342

219

154

174

4.1

3.3

3.5

1.2

0.9

1.1

5.7

5.7

5.7

3.7

3.3

3.4

8.9

22.5

31.4

4.5

2.4

6.8

4.7

3.7

8.4

18.0

28.6

46.6

213.8

527.4

741.3

19.9

11.2

31.1

72.5

66.8

139.4

306.3

605.5

911.8

24.3

60.5

84.7

5.9

3.2

9.1

9.9

8.5

18.4

40.1

72.2

112.2

Note: Where reserves are attributable to a joint venture partner, reserve figures reflect the Company’s ownership only. Includes discounts for ore loss and dilution.

1   Operations were audited by P&E Consulting. 

Attributable metal resources as at 31 December 20211,2

Resource category

OPERATIONS

Inmaculada

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

Pallancata

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

San Jose

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

GROWTH PROJECTS

Crespo

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

Azuca

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

Volcan

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

Arcata

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

GRAND TOTAL

Measured

Indicated

Total

Inferred

Tonnes (t)

Ag (g/t)

Au (g/t)

Ag Eq (g/t)

Ag (moz)

Au (koz)

Ag Eq (moz)

1,938,000 

5,987,000 

7,925,000 

11,989,000 

1,273,000 

846,000 

2,119,000 

1,845,000 

790,500 

611,490 

1,401,990 

937,890 

5,211,000 

17,298,000 

22,509,000 

775,000 

191,000 

6,859,000 

7,050,000 

6,946,000 

105,918,000 

283,763,000 

389,681,000 

41,553,000 

834,000 

1,304,000 

2,138,000 

3,533,000 

116,156,500 

316,668,490 

432,824,990 

67,578,890 

199 

160 

169 

102 

330 

246 

297 

230 

481 

358 

427 

332 

47 

38 

40 

46 

244 

187 

188 

170 

– 

– 

– 

– 

438 

411 

421 

370 

16 

12 

13 

66 

4.89 

3.88 

4.13 

2.57 

1.50 

1.18 

1.38 

0.98 

7.67 

6.21 

7.04 

5.22 

0.47 

0.40 

0.42 

0.57 

0.77 

0.77 

0.77 

0.89 

0.738 

0.698 

0.709 

0.502 

1.34 

1.36 

1.35 

1.26 

0.86 

0.76 

0.78 

1.03 

551 

440 

467 

286 

439 

331 

396 

300 

1,034 

805 

934 

708 

81 

66 

70 

87 

299 

242 

243 

234 

53 

50 

51 

36 

535 

508 

519 

461 

77 

67 

70 

140 

12.4 

30.8 

43.2 

39.2 

13.5 

6.7 

20.2 

13.6 

12.2 

7.0 

19.3 

10.0 

7.9 

21.0 

28.8 

1.1 

1.5 

41.2 

42.7 

37.9 

– 

– 

– 

– 

11.7 

17.2 

29.0 

42.1 

59.3 

123.9 

183.1 

143.9 

304.7 

747.6 

1,052.3 

988.7 

34.3 

84.6 

118.9 

110.3 

61.6 

32.2 

93.7 

58.3 

195.0 

122.0 

317.0 

157.4 

78.6 

222.5 

301.0 

14.2 

4.7 

168.8 

173.5 

199.5 

2,513.1 

6,368.0 

8,881.1 

670.7 

36.1 

56.9 

92.9 

142.6 

3,193.7 

7,717.9 

10,911.6 

2,231.4 

17.9 

9.0 

27.0 

17.8 

26.3 

15.8 

42.1 

21.4 

13.6 

37.0 

50.5 

2.2 

1.8 

53.3 

55.2 

52.3 

180.9 

458.5 

639.4 

48.3 

14.3 

21.3 

35.6 

52.4 

289.2 

679.6 

968.8 

304.6 

1  Prices used for resources calculation: Au: $1,800/oz and Ag: $26.0/oz and Ag/Au ratio of 72x.
2  Tables represents 100 % of the Mineral Resource. Resources are inclusive of Reserves.

 198  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 199  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESERVES AND RESOURCES CONTINUED

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Change in attributable reserves and resources

Ag equivalent content (million ounces) 

Category

Percentage 
attributable 
December 
2021

December  
2020 
Att.1

December 
2021  
Att.1 Net difference

% change

Inmaculada 

Pallancata

San Jose

Crespo 

Azuca 

Volcan

Arcata

Total

Resource 

Reserve 

Resource 

Reserve 

Resource

Reserve

Resource 

Reserve 

Resource 

Reserve 

Resource

Reserve

Resource 

Reserve 

Resource 

Reserve 

100%

195.8 

229.3 

100%

51%

100%

100%

100%

100%

79.3 

47.8 

7.1 

65.2 

14.2 

52.7 

– 

107.5 

– 

687.7 

– 

88.0 

– 

84.7 

44.8 

9.1 

63.4 

18.4 

52.7 

– 

107.5 

– 

687.7 

– 

88.0 

– 

33.5 

5.4 

(3.0)

2.0 

(1.8)

4.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

17.1% 

6.9% 

(6.3%)

27.8% 

(2.7%)

29.5% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,244.7 

100.6 

1,273.4 

112.2 

28.7 

11.6 

2.3% 

11.5% 

1  Attributable reserves and resources based on the Group’s percentage ownership of its joint venture projects.

Company website
Hochschild Mining PLC Interim and Annual Reports and results announcements are available via the internet on our website at 
www.hochschildmining.com. Shareholders can also access the latest information about the Company and press announcements as 
they are released, together with details of future events and how to obtain further information.

Registrars
The Registrars can be contacted as follows for information about the AGM, shareholdings, and dividends and to report changes in 
personal details:

By email
shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

By post
Link Group, 10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL

By telephone
(+44 (0)) 371 664 0300 

Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at 
the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 9am-5:30pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England 
and Wales.

Currency option and dividend mandate
Shareholders wishing to receive their dividend in US dollars should contact the Company’s registrars to request a currency election 
form. This form should be completed and returned to the registrars by 13 May 2022 in respect of the 2021 final dividend.

The Company’s registrars can also arrange for the dividend to be paid directly into a shareholder’s UK bank account. This 
arrangement is only available in respect of dividends paid in UK pounds sterling. To take advantage of this facility in respect of the 
2021 final dividend, a dividend mandate form, also available from the Company’s registrars, should be completed and returned to 
the registrars by 13 May 2022. Alternatively you can register your bank details via Signal Shares, a secure online site where you can 
manage your shareholding quickly and easily. To register for Signal Shares just visit www.signalshares.com. All you need is your 
investor code, which can be found on your share certificate or a previous dividend confirmation voucher. Shareholders who have 
already completed one or both of these forms need take no further action.

Financial calendar

Dividend dates 

Ex-dividend date

Record date

Deadline for return of currency election forms 

Payment date

17 Cavendish Square 
London 
W1G 0PH 
United Kingdom

2022

5 May

6 May

13 May

7 June

 200  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 201  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Strategic ReportFinancial StatementsGovernanceFurther Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains certain forward looking statements, including such statements within the meaning of Section 27A of 
the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In particular, such 
forward looking statements may relate to matters such as the business, strategy, investments, production, major projects and their 
contribution to expected production and other plans of Hochschild Mining PLC and its current goals, assumptions and expectations 
relating to its future financial condition, performance and results.

Forward looking statements include, without limitation, statements typically containing words such as ‘intends’, ‘expects’, 
‘anticipates’, ‘targets’, ‘plans’, ‘estimates’ and words of similar import. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risks and 
uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will or may occur in the future. Actual results, 
performance or achievements of Hochschild Mining PLC may be materially different from any future results, performance or 
achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences 
between the actual results, performance or achievements of Hochschild Mining PLC and current expectations include, but are not 
limited to, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, competitive conditions, technological developments, exchange rate 
fluctuations and general economic conditions. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice 
should consult an independent financial adviser.

The forward looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this Annual Report. 
Except as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, Hochschild Mining PLC does not undertake any obligation to update or 
change any forward looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this Annual Report. Nothing in this Annual 
Report should be construed as a profit forecast.

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 202  |  Hochschild Mining PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Hochschild Mining PLC
17 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0PH
United Kingdom

+44 (0) 203 709 3260
info@hocplc.com 
www.hochschildmining.com