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Pan American Silver

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FY2011 Annual Report · Pan American Silver
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VANCOUVER OFFICE 
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Pan American Silver Corp.
1500 – 625 Howe Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V6C 2T6

T. 604-684-1175 
F. 604-684-0147
info@panamericansilver.com

www.panamericansilver.com

ARGENTINA OFFICE 

Pan American Silver Argentina  
T. 54 -11-4816-3220 
F. 54 -11-4816-3227 
Country Manager – Bret Boster 

MEXICO OFFICE

Plata Panamericana S.A. de C.V. 
T. 52-618-128-0709 x 101 
F. 52-618-128-0692 x 102 
Country Manager – Chris Warwick

BOLIVIA OFFICE

PERU OFFICE

Pan American Silver (Bolivia) S.A. 
T. 59 -1-2-279-6690  
F. 59 -1221-54216 
Country Manager – Gary Hannan 

Pan American Silver Peru S.A.C.
T. 51-1-618-9700 
F. 51-1-618-9729
Country Manager – Jorge Ugarte 

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PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR

GROWTH

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Operations/Projects Map

Financial Highlights

Chairman’s Message to the Shareholders

President’s Message to the Shareholders

The Silver Market 2011

Growth Through Exploration

Growth Through Sustainability

Cautionary Note to US Investors

Properties at a Glance

Financial Statements

Corporate Information

02

03

04

06

08

09

10

12

13

14

IBC

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2010 
Our 2010 Sustainability Report describes our 
pioneering work in environmental performance, 
health and safety and community relations. 
Download a copy at: 
www.panamericansilver.com/sustainability/
sustainability-report/

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

CERTAIN OF THE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT CONSTITUTE “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE 

SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND “FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION” WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO 

THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS. ALL STATEMENTS, OTHER THAN STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FACT, ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. WHEN USED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT 

THE WORDS, “BELIEVES”, “EXPECTS”, “INTENDS”, “PLANS”, “FORECAST”, “OBJECTIVE”, “OUTLOOK”, “POTENTIAL”, “ANTICIPATED”, AND OTHER SIMILAR WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS, IDENTIFY 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION RELATE TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS: FUTURE PRODUCTION OF SILVER, 

GOLD AND OTHER METALS; FUTURE CASH COSTS PER OUNCE OF SILVER; THE PRICE OF SILVER AND OTHER METALS; THE EFFECTS OF LAWS, REGULATIONS AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES 

AFFECTING PAN AMERICAN’S OPERATIONS OR POTENTIAL FUTURE OPERATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LAWS IN THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT, ARGENTINA, WHICH, CURRENTLY 

HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON MINING; FUTURE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAVIDAD PROJECT, THE LA PRECIOSA PROJECT, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF 

THE COMPANY; THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE COMPANY’S CURRENT WORKING CAPITAL, ANTICIPATED OPERATING CASH FLOW OR ITS ABILITY TO RAISE NECESSARY FUNDS; THE EFFECTS OF 

FUTURE ACQUISITIONS AND THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ANY SUCH ACQUISITIONS; THE ACCURACY OF MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES; 

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION RATES FOR SILVER AND OTHER PAYABLE METALS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; TIMING OF PRODUCTION AND THE CASH AND TOTAL COSTS OF PRODUCTION 

AT EACH OF THE COMPANY’S PROPERTIES; THE ESTIMATED COST OF AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINING CAPITAL; ONGOING OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 

PLANS AND CAPITAL REPLACEMENT, IMPROVEMENT OR REMEDIATION PROGRAMS; THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, INCLUDING A REDUCTION 

IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, AND TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABILITY IN ITS OPERATIONS AND PROJECTS; THE ESTIMATES OF EXPECTED OR ANTICIPATED ECONOMIC RETURNS FROM 

THE COMPANY’S MINING PROJECTS, AS REFLECTED IN TECHNICAL REPORTS OR OTHER ANALYSES PREPARED IN RELATION TO DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS; ESTIMATED EXPLORATION 

EXPENDITURES TO BE INCURRED ON THE COMPANY’S VARIOUS PROPERTIES; FORECAST CAPITAL AND NON-OPERATING SPENDING; FUTURE SALES OF THE METALS, CONCENTRATES OR 

OTHER PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; AND THE COMPANY’S PLANS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR ITS PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONS. 

THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE COMPANY’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE NECESSARILY BASED UPON A NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES 

THAT, WHILE CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY THE COMPANY, ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS, ECONOMIC, COMPETITIVE, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UNCERTAINTIES 

AND CONTINGENCIES. MANY FACTORS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM 

THE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT ARE OR MAY BE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT 

AND THE COMPANY HAS MADE ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES BASED ON OR RELATED TO MANY OF THESE FACTORS. SUCH FACTORS INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION: FLUCTUATIONS 

IN SPOT AND FORWARD MARKETS FOR SILVER, GOLD, BASE METALS AND CERTAIN OTHER COMMODITIES (SUCH AS NATURAL GAS, FUEL OIL AND ELECTRICITY); FLUCTUATIONS IN 

CURRENCY MARKETS (SUCH AS THE PERUVIAN SOL, MEXICAN PESO, ARGENTINE PESO, BOLIVIAN BOLIVIANO AND CANADIAN DOLLAR VERSUS THE U.S. DOLLAR); RISKS RELATED 

TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL NATURE OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS; CHANGES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATION, TAXATION, CONTROLS OR 

REGULATIONS AND POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, MEXICO, PERU, ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA OR OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE COMPANY MAY 

CARRY ON BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE; RISKS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUSINESS OF MINERAL EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND MINING (INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL 

HAZARDS, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, UNUSUAL OR UNEXPECTED GEOLOGICAL OR STRUCTURAL FORMATIONS, PRESSURES, CAVE-INS AND FLOODING); RISKS RELATING TO THE CREDIT 

WORTHINESS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION OF SUPPLIERS, REFINERS AND OTHER PARTIES WITH WHOM THE COMPANY DOES BUSINESS; INADEQUATE INSURANCE, OR INABILITY TO OBTAIN 

INSURANCE, TO COVER THESE RISKS AND HAZARDS; EMPLOYEE RELATIONS; RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND CLAIMS BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS; AVAILABILITY 

AND INCREASING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MINING INPUTS AND LABOUR; THE SPECULATIVE NATURE OF MINERAL EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE RISKS OF 

OBTAINING NECESSARY LICENSES AND PERMITS AND THE PRESENCE OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT MAY IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON MINING, INCLUDING THOSE CURRENTLY IN 

THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT, ARGENTINA; DIMINISHING QUANTITIES OR GRADES OF MINERAL RESERVES AS PROPERTIES ARE MINED; GLOBAL FINANCIAL CONDITIONS; THE COMPANY’S 

ABILITY TO COMPLETE AND SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS AND TO MITIGATE OTHER BUSINESS COMBINATION RISKS; CHALLENGES TO, OR DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING, THE 

COMPANY’S TITLE TO PROPERTIES AND CONTINUED OWNERSHIP THEREOF; THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF CURRENT EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, CONCLUSIONS OF ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS, 

AND CHANGES IN PROJECT PARAMETERS TO DEAL WITH UNANTICIPATED ECONOMIC OR OTHER FACTORS; INCREASED COMPETITION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY FOR PROPERTIES, 

EQUIPMENT, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, AND THEIR COSTS; AND THOSE FACTORS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE CAPTION “RISKS RELATED TO PAN AMERICAN’S BUSINESS” IN THE COMPANY’S 

MOST RECENT FORM 40-F AND ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES 

REGULATORY AUTHORITIES. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST ATTRIBUTING UNDUE CERTAINTY OR RELIANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY 

HAS ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY, THERE MAY BE OTHER FACTORS THAT CAUSE RESULTS NOT TO BE AS 

ANTICIPATED, ESTIMATED, DESCRIBED OR INTENDED. THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND, AND DOES NOT ASSUME ANY OBLIGATION, TO UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

OR INFORMATION TO REFLECT CHANGES IN ASSUMPTIONS OR CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES OR ANY OTHER EVENTS AFFECTING SUCH STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION, OTHER THAN AS 

REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW. 

DIRECTORS

Ross J. Beaty – Chairman
Geoff A. Burns – President & Chief Executive Officer 
Michael Carroll (Independent)
Noel Dunn (Independent)
Michael J.J. Maloney (Independent)
Robert Pirooz – General Counsel
David Press (Independent)
Walter Segsworth (Independent)

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT – VANCOUVER

Geoff Burns – President & Chief Executive Officer
Steven Busby – Chief Operating Officer 
Ignacio Couturier – Treasurer  
Andres Dasso – Sr. VP, Mining Operations 
Rob Doyle – Chief Financial Officer 
Delaney Fisher – Corporate Secretary & Legal Counsel
George Greer – VP, Project Development
Sean McAleer – VP, Human Resources & Security
Robert Pirooz – General Counsel 
Michael Steinmann – Executive VP, Geology & Exploration
Wayne Vincent – VP, Accounting & Financial Reporting
Martin Wafforn – VP, Technical Services

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Four Seasons Hotel, Arbutus Room
791 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC 

MANANTIAL ESPEJO | ARGENTINA

AUDITORS

Deloitte & Touche LLP, Chartered Accountants
2800 – 1055 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V7X 1P4

LEGAL COUNSEL

Borden Ladner Gervais
1200 – 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada, V7X 1T2

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL

200,000,000 common shares without par value

ISSUED CAPITAL

December 31, 2011: 104,492,743 common shares

TRADING INFORMATION

NASDAQ: PAAS
TSX: PAA

REGISTRAR & TRANSFER AGENT

Computershare Investor Services Inc.
510 Burrard Street, 3rd Floor
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V6C 3B9
1-800-564-6253

PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR

GROWTH

While 2011 was a record financial year and we generated record 
earnings and cash flows, we continued to focus on the future. 
We advanced our development projects and prepared to take 
advantage of strategic opportunities. In March 2012, we completed 
the acquisition of Minefinders with its long-life Dolores mine. The 
seeds we have planted will bear fruit as we strive to reach our goal 
of becoming the world’s largest silver mining company by 2016.

MANANTIAL ESPEJO | ARGENTINA

OPERATIONS & PROJECTS MAP

NORTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA

CANADA

  HEAD OFFICE, VANCOUVER

MEXICO

1  ALAMO DORADO
2  LA COLORADA

PERU

3  QUIRUVILCA
4  HUARON
5  MOROCOCHA
6  PICO MACHAY

BOLIVIA

7  SAN VICENTE

LEGEND

  MINING OPERATIONS

  DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

ARGENTINA

8  CALCATREU
9  NAVIDAD
10  MANANTIAL ESPEJO

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

MANANTIAL ESPEJO | ARGENTINA

A SENIOR SILVER PRODUCER  
WITH AN OUTSTANDING GROWTH PROFILE

During 2011 Pan American Silver produced 21.9 million ounces of silver at its seven mines in Latin America. 

With the acquisition of Minefinders Corporation Ltd. (“Minefinders”), Pan American has added the Dolores mine to its portfolio of long-life 
operating assets. Pan American also owns the world-class Navidad silver deposit. The Company offers outstanding exposure to silver and a 
growth profile that is second to none in its industry. 

In 2012, Pan American expects to produce 21.5 to 22.5 million ounces of silver and 75,000 to 80,000 ounces of gold (excluding production  
from Dolores). 

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011

PRODUCTION

Silver ounces

Gold ounces

Zinc tonnes

Lead tonnes

Copper tonnes

Cash costs per silver ounce1

Total cost per silver ounce1

Average silver price (London fix)

FINANCIAL (millions except per share amount)

Revenue

Net income

Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders

Adjusted earnings 2

Adjusted earnings per share

Mine operating earnings 3

Cash flow from operations 4

Cash and short-term investments at December 31

Working capital at December 31 5

STAKEHOLDERS

Common shares outstanding at December 31 (millions)

Employees and Contractors

2011

21,855,000

2010

24,286,000

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

78,426

37,234

12,701

4,544

9.44    

13.51    

35.11    

855.3

354.1

3.31

252.3

2.37

409.1    

359.5

491.2

566.4

104.5

7,622

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

89,555

43,103

13,629

5,221

5.69   

9.51      

20.14    

646.6 

15.7

0.13

106.4

0.99
241.1     
242.3

360.5

429.9

107.8

7,068

1 Cash and total cost per silver ounce are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the cash costs and total production costs per ounce of payable silver reconciliation on 

page 40 of the Company’s MD&A for a breakdown of the calculation. 

2 Adjusted earnings is a non-GAAP measure calculated as net earnings for the period excluding the gain or loss recorded on fair market value adjustments of the 

Company’s outstanding warrants.

3 Mine operating earnings is a non-GAAP measure used by the Company to assess the performance of its silver mining operations. Mine operating earnings is 
calculated as revenue less production costs, depreciation and amortization and royalties. The Company and certain investors use this information to evaluate 
the Company’s performance.

4 Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is a non-GAAP measure. This non-GAAP measure is used by the Company to manage and 

evaluate operating performance and the Company considers this measure to better reflect the normalized cash flow generated by operations. Cash flow from 
operations before changes in working capital is a non-GAAP measure that is calculated by taking cash flow from operations before interest and income taxes 
less the working capital adjustments and current income tax expense. 

5  Working capital is a non-GAAP measure calculated as current assets less current liabilities.  The Company and certain investors use this information to 

evaluate whether the Company is able to meet its current obligations using its current assets.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

3

PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR

GROWTH

Planting the seeds for growth! That’s what we did in 2011 while 
simultaneously delivering the best financial performance in our 17 
year history! What a great year – we generated record earnings, 
record cash flow and record cash reserves. A lot of this was 
made possible by record high silver prices, but also because we 
produced a near-record amount of silver. But our 15-year silver 
production growth streak ended in 2011; in fact, we produced  
21.9 million ounces, less than what we produced in 2010. Simply 
put, we focused on mine building over the past eight years, and 
very successfully with five mines built on time and on budget. We 
advanced from being a small silver producer in 2002 to being the 
world’s second largest primary silver miner in 2011. 

We are now positioned for our next extraordinary leg of silver 
production growth to begin in 2012, which should propel Pan 
American closer to becoming the world’s largest silver mining 
company by 2016. The seeds for this growth have been planted; 
we now have to execute and our first objective is to increase our 
silver and gold production through the acquisition of Minefinders, 
something we completed in late March 2012. Our second 
objective is to start developing our massive Navidad silver project 
in Argentina into production. This requires a legal reform from the 
Province of Chubut and we hope it will be forthcoming soon to 
enable us to start construction of this world-class deposit. As these 
seeds mature, we expect our silver production to increase from 
current levels of about 22 million ounces per year to more than 40 
million ounces by 2016. That will be something to watch as  
it grows!

Pan American is in great shape today. We have all the ingredients 
necessary for our second great phase of growth. We have 
exceptional financial horsepower, with cash and near-cash 
holdings at year-end 2011 of almost $500 million, no debt, $150 
million in unutilized bank credit, and substantial free cash flow 
generation from our soon to be eight operating mines. Our 
cash generation should increase in 2012, with the Minefinders 
transaction completed and the Dolores Mine becoming our lowest-
cost mine with the highest cash flow. In addition, we have a great 
stable of assets, including several like Waterloo, Calcatreu, Pico 
Machay and La Bolsa, which contribute nearly zero to our public 
valuation, but which are major potential development assets in their 
own right. And finally, we have an extraordinary management 
team fully capable of building and operating our existing assets and 
our great growth projects such as Navidad. 

4

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

One of Pan American’s greatest assets is more difficult to 
measure: our reputation. I am so proud of our reputation for fair 
dealings with our employees, suppliers, contractors, communities 
and other stakeholders; our reputation for having a healthy and 
safe workplace at our mines and projects; our reputation for open, 
honest and ethical business practices; and our reputation for good 
governance and transparency in our reporting. This is so hard to 
gain and so easy to destroy. I commend all of our employees and 
Directors for building this fine reputation over so many years and 
for their steadfast attention to preserving it in years to come. 

Silver continues to do well as a precious and an industrial metal. 
Its fundamentals remain strong. Not only is it the metal with the 
most diverse applications, it is essentially a beautiful metal too in 
so many ways – literally as a beauty adornment for thousands of 
years, and figuratively in being the best at reflecting beauty since 
it is the most reflective metal. In 2011 its greatest use was as 
currency and a store of value, with many investors buying silver as 
an alternative to paper money – something I think will continue to 
happen for many years as governments all over the world succumb, 
in the face of ever-worsening deficits, to the eternal temptation to 
debase paper money. And so I expect continuing strength in the 
silver price, though with plenty of volatility!

Pan American has built itself into a leading silver mining 
company and has delivered excellent financial results to our 
shareholders in the process – I was especially pleased that we 
recently increased our dividend by 50%. With our next leg of 
growth, for which we have already planted the seeds, I expect this 
financial return will increase further and I look forward to reporting 
on our progress during 2012. Thank you for your support of our 
enterprise and enjoy watching with me the second great leg of 
growth of our company as we execute on Navidad, optimize the 
Dolores mine and all our other growth assets that will add value  
to us as they develop into mature assets. 

Ross J. Beaty Chairman

LA COLORADA | MEXICO

GROWTH THROUGH

PERSEVERANCE

DEDICATED TO EXPLORATION, EFFICIENT OPERATION AND STRATEGIC ACQUISITION
Without a doubt, 2011 marked the best annual financial 
performance in the Company’s history. While our consolidated 
silver production declined modestly from 2010, at just shy of 22 
million ounces, we generated record revenue of $855.3 million, 
record mine operating earnings of $409.1 million, record adjusted 
earnings of $252.3 million, or $2.37 per share, and record cash 
flow from operations of $359.5 million, a healthy $3.25 per share. 
We also finished the year with cash and short term investments 
of close to $0.5 billion and record working capital in excess of that. 
Recognizing our good fortune, we also returned nearly $105 million 
to our shareholders by way of quarterly dividends and a share 
repurchase program.

optimum production rates by the end of this year. Production from 
San Vicente in Bolivia was basically as we forecasted, as was 
production from our Manantial Espejo mine in Argentina; however, 
both suffered cost pressures throughout 2011 that were above  
our expectations. 

Across our entire portfolio of operating mines, we have faced and 
will continue to face significant cost escalation driven by increasing 
labour, energy and consumable costs. Happily, we have seen our 
margins expand at the same time, thanks to strong and rising silver 
prices. Many of the same factors that are pushing our costs higher 
are also behind silver’s surge in price. Having said this, we will do 
all we can in 2012 to manage the cost elements that are within  
our influence. 

However, 2011 was also an extremely volatile year in both the 
precious metal and equities markets. Silver experienced some 
remarkable price swings, reaching a high of $48.70 per ounce in 
April of 2011 and a low of $28.16 in September of the same year, 
registering an annual volatility of close to 50%. In spite of the 
volatility, silver enjoyed a record year in terms of price, finishing 
2011 with an all time record average annual price of $35.11 per 
ounce. Not surprisingly, with these large swings in the price of 
our primary product, we also experienced a very volatile year in 
terms of our share price. We entered 2011 at $41.92 per share and 
ended the year down 52% at 21.81 per share. As a shareholder, I 
am keenly aware that our share price performance did not match 
the trajectory of our financial performance or that of silver. While I 
am at somewhat of a loss to explain this dichotomy, I continue to 
believe that our best course of action is to continue to do what we 
do best, and that is to maximize the value of our assets by focusing 
on and achieving our earnings, cash flow and production objectives, 
while taking prudent and calculated steps to grow our business. 
I have no doubt that eventually our share price will reflect the 
consistently superior results that we have produced.

From an operating perspective, we enjoyed great success at our 
Mexican operations in 2011. Both La Colorada and Alamo Dorado 
had excellent years, delivering at or above forecasted silver 
production at cash costs well within our estimates. However, 
our success in Mexico was tempered by challenges in Peru. Our 
three Peruvian mines produced less silver than we expected at 
significantly higher costs. We fell behind on our development at 
both Huaron and Morococha and as a consequence were well 
behind our anticipated throughput rates and forecasted silver 
production. We will be focusing on and investing in increased 
underground development as we move into 2012 and with proper 
execution should have both these assets operating closer to their 

6

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Looking to our longer term future, we worked diligently at our 
Navidad silver project in Chubut, Argentina towards the completion 
of a Feasibility Report and an Environmental Impact Study. Chubut 
continues to impose a ban on open cut mining and the expected 
change to this legislation did not occur in 2011 as we had hoped. 
However, the newly elected Governor of the Province, Martin 
Buzzi, has publicly acknowledged his support for the national 
government’s pro-mining policies and we are confident that this 
support will translate into a change in the legislation in Chubut 
this year, which will allow us to develop Navidad. Navidad is truly 
a world class silver deposit and a game changer for Pan American, 
having the potential to produce almost 20 million ounces of silver 
annually at a cash cost of between $6 and $7 per ounce, as we 
described in the Preliminary Economic Assessment we completed 
for the project in late 2010. 

But we are not just sitting and waiting for law changes in Argentina 
to expand our business and improve our portfolio of assets. We 
have just completed the friendly acquisition of Minefinders Ltd., 
which we announced on January 23, 2012. Minefinders brings to 
us the Dolores mine, an open pit heap leach silver and gold mine, 
as well as an interesting portfolio of development and exploration 
properties, all located in the mining preferred jurisdiction of Mexico. 
Dolores is an outstanding, long-life asset that fits perfectly into 
our portfolio. It will immediately add low-cost silver production, 
while bringing with it the potential for further growth through 
optimization, exploration and the likely addition of a milling circuit 
to enhance silver and gold recoveries. Strategically, this acquisition 
is about production growth, cash flow growth, upgrading our asset 
portfolio, while clearly lowering our geo-political risk profile. 

I look forward to 2012 with great enthusiasm and optimism.  
I believe that there are ample reasons to expect silver to continue 
to do well in 2012 and beyond. Pan American is extremely well 
positioned to reap the rewards of the current silver price, with the 
addition of Dolores, and in the longer term with the expectation 
that 2012 will be the year that we are able to start Navidad’s 
construction. Together or separately, I would hope that these 
investments will once again attract the attention of the silver 
investment community to our strengths and help restore Pan 
American’s premium valuation. 

MANANTIAL ESPEJO | ARGENTINA

I would like to finish by thanking our global workforce of employees 
and contractors for their dedication to our Company, our investors 
for their continued support and commitment to our business  
model and the communities where we operate for hosting us and 
being part of our sustainable operations. I hope that you all remain 
on board as the seeds we have planted grow and develop  
into maturity.

Geoff Burns President & Chief Executive Officer

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS

7

GROWTH THROUGH

SILVER EXPOSURE

SILVER’S RECORD YEAR
Since its inception in 1994, Pan American has strived to become a 
premier vehicle for investors looking for real exposure to silver. In 
2011, Pan American derived 74% of its total revenue from silver 
contained in concentrates or doré bars produced at our seven 
operations. This makes Pan American Silver a true silver play and 
an excellent vehicle for individuals who regard silver as a long-term 
investment and a store of value, especially in today’s tumultuous 
world economic environment. In addition to producing 21.9 million 
ounces of silver, in 2011 Pan American also sold over 75,900 
ounces of gold, which contributed 12% to our consolidated  
annual revenue. 

2011 was another record year for silver; however, much like the 
world economic recovery, it was also a year characterized by 
high volatility. The price per ounce on the London Bullion Market 
fluctuated widely between US$30.60 on January’s first day of 
trading and US$28.18 at the close of trading on December 30th. 
During the first months of the year, silver found strong support 
from the continued recovery in industrial demand and steady 
investor interest, largely motivated by the gloomy prospects for the 
Eurozone in the face of Greece’s fiscal woes and fears of contagion 
to other members of the block. 

Silver quickly rose to close to $50 per ounce in April, but by late 
May profit taking and stock liquidation, including a decline in silver 
ETFs holdings, brought the price down to the low $30s, when 

SILVER – LONDON FIX PRICE (US$/oz Ag)
45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

investors saw a buying opportunity and provided renewed support. 
Throughout the summer and until late September, silver climbed 
steadily back up to the $40s, until the Eurozone crisis seemed to 
worsen. This, coupled with loose monetary policies in the world’s 
industrial economies and a weak US dollar, prompted another 
steep decline and from September 21 until October 5th, silver 
dropped from approximately $40 per ounce to approximately  
$28 per ounce. 

The final weeks of 2011 saw the silver price make brief incursions 
into the high $20s, but investor support has kept the price firmly 
over $30 per ounce since. Despite the extreme price moves of 
2011, last year silver averaged a record $35.12 per ounce, which 
was 74% higher than 2010’s average and far outpaced gold’s 
increase of 28% compared to the previous year. 

According to GFMS-Thomson Reuters, industrial demand growth 
and investor interest will sustain silver’s bull run in 2012. Although 
the slow world economic recovery, the US presidential election and 
the continued European credit crisis could cause further volatility, 
the expected annual average price could set a new record at 
approximately $45 per ounce. During the first three months of 2012, 
silver averaged $32.63 per ounce and investor interest remained 
strong, as evidenced by UBS’ research, which estimates that at 
March 6th, the combined holdings of the 10 major silver ETFs were 
approximately 490 million ounces. 

J a n-07

M ar-07

M ay-07

J ul-07

S e p-07

N ov-07

J a n-08

M ar-08

M ay-08

J ul-08

S e p-08

N ov-08

J a n-09

M ar-09

M ay-09

J ul-09

S e p-09

N ov-09

J a n-10

M ar-10

M ay-10

J ul-10

S e p-10

N ov-10

J a n-11

M ar-11

M ay-11

J ul-11

S e p-11

N ov-11

J a n-12

M ar-12

8

GROWTH THROUGH

EXPLORATION

EXPLORATION & GEOLOGY
Exploration programs are vital to our successful business, because 
they are an investment in our future that generates growth by 
extending our Company’s production profile and securing long-term 
cash flow and earnings.

enough to replace the 24.7 million contained ounces of silver that 
we mined during the year and in fact allowed us to grow our Proven 
and Probable silver Mineral Reserves to 235.3 million ounces at 
December 31, 2011; 2% more than at the end of 2010.” 

Although mining activities deplete ore bodies, our Mineral Reserves 
and Resources can grow through green field discoveries that add 
new projects to our development pipeline, or through brown field 
exploration that expands the mineralization and the mine life of our 
current producing assets. 

In addition to green field exploration, Pan American also invested in 
exploration and technical studies to further define the outstanding 
Navidad silver deposit in Argentina. The results of the work 
performed at this project will be included in a Feasibility Study, 
which will be ready for publication in 2012. 

Michael Steinmann, EVP Geology and Exploration, commented on 
this year’s exploration success, “Since 2004, Pan American has 
discovered in excess of 198 million ounces of Proven and Probable 
silver Mineral Reserves through brown field exploration activities at 
our seven mines and 2011 was another exceptional year in terms 
of Mineral Reserve addition. An investment of $25.1 million in 
direct exploration allowed us to complete over 190,000 meters of 
diamond drilling and discover 29.3 million ounces of Proven and 
Probable silver Mineral Reserves at our mines. This was more than 

In 2012, we plan to invest $15.5 million to carry out an estimated 
116,000 meters of diamond drilling at our seven operating mines. 
We also plan to invest approximately $7.8 million in green field 
exploration at a handful of prospective properties in Mexico,  
Peru and Argentina. 

The table below illustrates the changes in Proven and Probable 
silver Mineral Reserves at our current seven operating mines. 

PROVEN AND PROBABLE MINERAL RESERVES1 (MILLIONS OF OUNCES OF CONTAINED SILVER)

RESERVES Dec 31, 2010

MINED 2011

GAINED/LOST

RESERVES  Dec 31, 20112

Morococha (92.2%)

Huaron

Quiruvilca

La Colorada

Alamo Dorado

San Vicente (95%)

Manantial Espejo

TOTAL3

37.6

59.3

3.9

38.3

27.2

28.0

36.3

230.7

(2.0)

(3.5)

(1.1)

(4.8)

(5.7)

(3.5)

(4.2)

(24.8)

1.5 

5.1 

1.3 

10.6 

4.3 

9.5 

(3.0)

29.3 

1 For the complete breakdown of Mineral Reserves and Resources by property and category, please refer to pages 51 and 52 of this annual report  
2 Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves were estimated using appropriate cut-off grades based on assumed metal prices of Ag: $25.00/oz, Au: $1,350/oz,  
Pb: $1,850/tonne, Cu: $6,500/tonne, Zn: $1,750/tonne
3 Totals may not add up due to rounding

37.1

60.9

4.2

44.1

25.8

34.1

29.1

235.3 

9

GROWTH THROUGH

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is one of our guiding principles. We strive to operate 
our business, our mines and our development projects with 
the objective of creating lasting social progress and economic 
growth for all stakeholders. To achieve this, we seek continuous, 
sustainable growth and improvement in all areas of our business – 
from our efforts to protect the environment and enhance socio-
economic development in the communities where we operate, to 
developing the skills and careers of our employees.

Social sustainability - which is inextricably linked to economic 
well-being -considers the communities surrounding our mines, 
and the changes that our activities can have on the social fabric 
of, for example, an isolated mountain village. We cooperate with 
respected local and international organizations such as Caritas 
to establish social support programs in communities in Peru, 
Argentina and Bolivia. We deliver educational programs, workshops, 
nutritional and economic planning assistance among other things. 

An economically sustainable company takes a long-term view by 
building and maintaining enduring working relationships with the 
local communities, everywhere it operates. Long-term success is 
also achieved by ensuring that its activities benefit all stakeholders, 
from shareholders to employees and contractors, to their 
communities, regions and countries. The salaries, taxes, and other 
payments that Pan American makes can represent a major portion 
of regional economies. But our social and economic influence goes 
deeper, and reaches closer to home. 

In a continued and conscientious approach to corporate citizenship 
and responsibility, we seek to create sustainable local economies 
with greater economic depth and transcendence than they had 
before we arrived. In addition to training our workers, we support 
alternative activities like ranching and herding, we research and 
teach organic gardening; we run workshops on traditional and high-
fashion handicrafts and support a growing number of successful 
artisans, from silversmiths to weavers. 

One of our most successful programs is just taking flight. We 
are the driving force behind a new designer brand called “Andes 
Wear” which will launch its “Alpaca de los Andes” products in 
2012. These hand-woven goods have been professionally designed 
and market-tested and should see tremendous success in the 
international quality fashion marketplace. The goods are woven by 
members of our communities using alpaca and vicuña wool from 
their herds whose development we supported. We ensure that 
weavers receive fair payment for their work and we aim to achieve 
international Fair Trade certification for these products. In this way 
we are contributing to building a sustainable local economy, which 
is diversified and complementary to our activities.

In addition to working with our communities, we protect our 
workers by making safety our priority and implementing rigorous 
safety standards. In 2011, we embarked on a new, comprehensive 
safety training program that involves all staff from senior 
management to new workers at our mines. But we are also very 
active on environmental stewardship and we are always focused on 
environmental sustainability. Not only do we work under stringent 
environmental guidelines and legislation, but our decisions and 
policies are guided by a continued awareness of our footprint at 
every stage of a mine’s life cycle. 

We minimize and mitigate our environmental impact in all phases, 
from exploration through project design and development, to 
mining operations and finally to mine closure and reclamation. 
We ensure optimum environmental performance by monitoring 
and reporting to the government authorities and communities 
associated with our mines, and to all our stakeholders via our 
Annual Sustainability Report. In particular, we focus on efficient 
water use, waste management and recycling, protecting surface 
and ground water quality, minimizing greenhouse and air emissions, 
and the implementation of environmental contingency planning at 
all of our mines and projects.

Being a responsible member of the communities in which we 
operate is a critical element of Pan American’s mandate. We strive 
to treat our communities as partners in an exciting enterprise in 
which we all benefit economically, environmentally, socially and 
culturally. We take pride in our sustainability policies and practices 
and we are confident that they comply or exceed our industry’s 
best practices. 

10

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

SANTA CRUZ | ARGENTINA

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

MICHAEL STEINMANN, P.GEO., EXECUTIVE VP GEOLOGY & EXPLORATION, AND MARTIN 

WAFFORN, P.ENG., VP TECHNICAL SERVICES, EACH OF WHOM ARE QUALIFIED PERSONS, 

AS THE TERM IS DEFINED IN NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 “NI 43-101”, HAVE REVIEWED 

AND APPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT. TECHNICAL INFORMATION 

WITH RESPECT TO NAVIDAD IS DERIVED FROM THE NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE 

PROPERTY PREPARED BY SNOWDEN, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF PAMELA DE MARK, 

P.GEO., SR. CONSULTANT OF SNOWDEN MINING INDUSTRY CONSULTANTS. MINERAL 

RESOURCE ESTIMATES FOR HOG HEAVEN AND WATERLOO ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL 

THIRD PARTY ESTIMATES. 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US INVESTORS CONCERNING ESTIMATES OF 

RESERVES AND RESOURCES

THIS ANNUAL REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS 

OF CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES LAWS, WHICH DIFFER FROM THE REQUIREMENTS 

OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL MINERAL RESERVE 

AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES INCLUDED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT HAVE BEEN PREPARED 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 – STANDARDS OF 

DISCLOSURE FOR MINERAL PROJECTS (‘‘NI 43-101’’) AND THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE 

OF MINING, METALLURGY AND PETROLEUM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. NI 43-101 IS A 

RULE DEVELOPED BY THE CANADIAN SECURITIES ADMINISTRATORS THAT ESTABLISHES 

STANDARDS FOR ALL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AN ISSUER MAKES OF SCIENTIFIC AND 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MINERAL PROJECTS. 

CANADIAN STANDARDS, INCLUDING NI 43-101, DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE 

REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

(THE “SEC”), AND INFORMATION CONCERNING MINERALIZATION, DEPOSITS, MINERAL 

RESERVE AND RESOURCE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR REFERRED TO HEREIN MAY 

NOT BE COMPARABLE TO SIMILAR INFORMATION DISCLOSED BY U.S. COMPANIES. 

IN PARTICULAR, AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, THIS 

ANNUAL REPORT USES THE TERMS ‘‘MEASURED RESOURCES’’, ‘‘INDICATED RESOURCES’’ 

AND ‘‘INFERRED RESOURCES’’. U.S. INVESTORS ARE ADVISED THAT, WHILE SUCH 

TERMS ARE RECOGNIZED AND REQUIRED BY CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS, THE 

SEC DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THEM. UNDER U.S. STANDARDS, MINERALIZATION MAY 

NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS A ‘‘RESERVE’’ UNLESS THE DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE 

THAT THE MINERALIZATION COULD BE ECONOMICALLY AND LEGALLY PRODUCED OR 

EXTRACTED AT THE TIME THE RESERVE DETERMINATION IS MADE. U.S. INVESTORS 

ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO ASSUME THAT ANY PART OF A “MEASURED RESOURCE” 

OR “INDICATED RESOURCE” WILL EVER BE CONVERTED INTO A “RESERVE”. U.S. 

INVESTORS SHOULD ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT “INFERRED RESOURCES” HAVE A 

GREAT AMOUNT OF UNCERTAINTY AS TO THEIR EXISTENCE AND GREAT UNCERTAINTY 

AS TO THEIR ECONOMIC AND LEGAL FEASIBILITY. IT CANNOT BE ASSUMED THAT ALL 

OR ANY PART OF “INFERRED RESOURCES” EXIST, ARE ECONOMICALLY OR LEGALLY 

MINEABLE OR WILL EVER BE UPGRADED TO A HIGHER CATEGORY. UNDER CANADIAN 

SECURITIES LAWS, ESTIMATED “INFERRED RESOURCES” MAY NOT FORM THE BASIS 

OF FEASIBILITY OR PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDIES EXCEPT IN RARE CASES. DISCLOSURE 

OF “CONTAINED OUNCES” IN A MINERAL RESOURCE IS PERMITTED DISCLOSURE 

UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS. HOWEVER, THE SEC NORMALLY ONLY PERMITS 

ISSUERS TO REPORT MINERALIZATION THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE “RESERVES” BY 

SEC STANDARDS AS IN PLACE TONNAGE AND GRADE, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO UNIT 

MEASURES. THE REQUIREMENTS OF NI 43-101 FOR IDENTIFICATION OF “RESERVES” 

ARE ALSO NOT THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE SEC, AND RESERVES REPORTED BY THE 

COMPANY IN COMPLIANCE WITH NI 43-101 MAY NOT QUALIFY AS “RESERVES” UNDER 

SEC STANDARDS. ACCORDINGLY, INFORMATION CONCERNING MINERAL DEPOSITS 

SET FORTH HEREIN MAY NOT BE COMPARABLE WITH INFORMATION MADE PUBLIC BY 

COMPANIES THAT REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. STANDARDS.

SAN VICENTE | BOLIVIA

PROPERTIES AT A GLANCE

OPERATING MINES

PROPERTY

TYPE

LOCATION

PROVEN & PROBABLE  
RESERVES 1

Huaron 

Underground

Pasco, Peru

60.9 Moz Ag

Morococha 
(92.2%)

Underground

Junin, Peru

37.1 Moz Ag

Quiruvilca 4

Underground

La Libertad, Peru

Alamo Dorado 

Open Pit

Sonora, Mexico 

La Colorada

Underground

Zacatecas, Mexico

4.2 Moz Ag;  
24.2 Koz Au

25.8 Moz Ag;  
98.8 Koz Au

44.1 Moz Ag;  
48.0 Koz Au

San Vicente (95%) Underground

Potosi, Bolivia

34.1 Moz Ag

2011 PRODUCTION 2

2012 PRODUCTION FORECAST 3 

2.8 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$14.03/oz

2.7 to 2.8 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$20.90 to $22.70 per oz Ag

1.7 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$16.11/oz

1.7 to 1.8 Moz Ag at cash costs of 
$24.60 to $26.50 per oz Ag

0.9 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$17.47/oz

Approximately 0.2 Moz Ag at 
cash cost of $31.30 per oz Ag

5.3 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$4.80/oz

5.1 to 5.4 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$6.40 to $6.80 per oz Ag

4.3 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$7.74/oz

4.1 to 4.3 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$9.50 to $9.90 per oz Ag

3.1 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$13.48/oz

3.4 to 3.5 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$18.40 to $18.70 per oz Ag

Manantial Espejo

Combination Open 
Pit & Underground

Santa Cruz, Argentina

29.1 Moz Ag;  
446.6 Koz Au

3.8 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$7.36/oz

4.3 to 4.5 Moz Ag at cash cost of 
$8.60 to $10.40 per oz Ag

1  At December 31, 2011 
2  Cash costs per payable ounce of silver produced, net of by-product credits 
3  Cash costs per ounce of Ag, net of by-product credits. Price assumptions: Au $1,600/oz, Zn $1,900/tonne, Pb $2,000/tonne, Cu $7,300/tonne
4  The forecast for Quiruvilca only includes estimates for the first quarter of 2012. The Company is currently assessing strategic alternatives for the mine, including continued operations, divestiture, or placing the mine on care and maintenance.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

RESOURCES

PROPERTY

OWNERSHIP

LOCATION

MEASURED & INDICATED

INFERRED

2012 OBJECTIVES

Navidad 

100%

Chubut, Argentina

532.4 Moz Ag;  
2,914 M pounds Pb

119.4 Moz Ag;  
580 M pounds Pb

Invest $22.8 million to complete an 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
and a full Feasibility Study to be filed 
when provincial legislation allows 
open pit mining  

Calcatreu

Pico Machay

100%

100%

Rio Negro, Argentina

6.6 Moz Ag; 676 Koz Au

1.8 Moz Ag;  
226 Koz Au

Invest $4 million to complete a 
Scoping Study 

Huancavelica, Peru

265 Koz Au

446 Koz Au

Evaluate strategic options for the deposit

13

 
 
 
 
TABLE Of CONTENTS

Management's Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

Core Business and Strategy

Highlights of 2011

Minefinders Transaction

2012 Operating Outlook

2012 Project Development Outlook

2011 Operating Performance

2011 Project Development Update

Overview of 2011 Financial Results

Liquidity Position

Investments and Investment Income

Capital Resources

Financial Instruments

Closure and Decommissioning Cost Provision

Contractual Commitments and Contingencies

General and Administrative

Exploration and Project Development

Alternative Performance Measures

Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility  
and Environment

Risks and Uncertainties

Critical Judgement in the Application  
of Accounting Policies

Future Accounting Changes

Subsequent Events

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Mineral Reserves and Resources

Management’s Report on Internal Controls  

over Financial Reporting

Auditors' Reports 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

Consolidated Income Statements

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

14

15

16

17

17

18

22

23

31

32

36

37

37

37

38

38

39

39

40

41

42

46

46

49

49

51

55

56

58

59

60

61

62

The  Company’s  2012  forecast  contained  in  this  MD&A  include 
estimates of future production rates for silver and other metals 
and  future  cash  and  total  costs  of  production  at  each  of  the 
Company’s  properties,  which  are  forward-looking  estimates.  
These  forecasts  are  based  on  the  following  key  assumptions: 
(i)  silver:  $30.00  per  ounce,  gold:  $1,600  per  ounce,  zinc: 
$1,900  per  tonne  ($0.86  per  lb),  lead:  $2,000  per  tonne  ($0.91 
per lb), and copper: $7,300 per tonne ($3.31 per lb); (ii) that the 
Company  is  able  to  ship  and  sell  all  of  2012  production  in  the 
2012  financial  year;  (iii)  the  Company’s  forecast  production  for 
each  individual  mine  is  achieved;  (iv)  there  is  no  disruption  in 
production,  unexpected  increase  in  costs  or  disruption  due 
to,  among  other  things:  natural  phenomena  and  hazards; 
technological,  mechanical  or  operational  disruptions;  changes 
in  local  governments,  legislation,  taxation  or  the  political  or 
economic environment; fluctuations in the price of silver, gold 
or  base  metals;  fluctuations  in  the  local  currencies  of  those 
countries in which the Company carries on business; unexpected 
work  stoppages  or  labour  disputes;  fluctuations  in  the  price 
for  electricity,  natural  gas,  fuel  oil,  and  other  key  supplies;  or 
transportation disruptions.

No  assurance  can  be  given  that  the  forecasted  quantities  of 
silver and other metals will be produced, or that projected cash 
costs or forecast capital costs will be achieved.  Expected future 
production, cash costs and capital costs are inherently uncertain 
and  could  materially  change  over  time.  If  actual  results  differ 
from  the  assumptions  set  out  above,  the  Company’s  mineral 
production  and  cash  costs  may  differ  materially  from  the 
forecasts  in  this  MD&A.  Readers  should  review  those  matters 
discussed  herein  under  the  heading “Risks  and  Uncertainties” 
and are advised to read the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward 
Looking statements” contained herein.

March 21, 2012
INTRODUCTION
Management’s  discussion  and  analysis  (“MD&A”)  is  intended 
to help the reader understand the significant factors that have 
affected Pan American Silver Corp.’s and its subsidiaries’ (“Pan 
American”  or  the  “Company”)  performance  and  such  factors 
that  may  affect  its  future  performance.   The  MD&A  should  be 
read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company’s Audited  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011 
and  the  related  notes  contained  therein.  All  amounts  in  this 
MD&A  and 
in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  are 
expressed  in  United  States  dollars  (“USD”),  unless  identified 
otherwise.   The  Company  reports  its  financial  position,  results 
of  operations  and  cash  flows  in  accordance  with  International 
Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  issued  by  the 
International  Accounting  Standards  Board 
(“IASB”).  Pan 
American’s significant accounting policies are set out in Note 3 
of  the Audited  Consolidated  Financial  Statements. This  MD&A 
refers to various non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 
(“GAAP”) measures, such as “cash and total cost per ounce of 
silver”, which are used by the Company to manage and evaluate 
operating performance at each of the Company’s mines and are 
widely reported in the silver mining industry as benchmarks for 
performance, but do not have standardized meaning. To facilitate 
a better understanding of these measures as calculated by the 
Company,  detailed  descriptions  and  reconciliations  have  been 
provided where applicable. 

Except  for  historical  information  contained  in  this  MD&A,  the 
following  disclosures  are  forward-looking  statements  within 
the  meaning  of  the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act  of 
1995 or are future oriented financial information and as such are 
based on an assumed set of economic conditions and courses 
of action.  Please refer to the cautionary note regarding the risks 
associated  with  forward  looking  statements  at  the  back  of  this 
MD&A  and  the  “Risks  Related  to  Pan  American’s  Business” 
contained in the Company’s most recent Form 40-F and Annual 
Information Form on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission  and  the  Canadian  provincial  securities  regulatory 
authorities. Additional information about Pan American and its 
business  activities,  including  its  Annual  Information  Form,  is 
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com

The  scientific  or  technical  information  in  this  MD&A,  which 
includes mineral reserve and resource estimates for the Huaron, 
Morococha, Quiruvilca, Alamo Dorado, La Colorada, Manantial 
Espejo,  San Vicente, Pico Machay, and Calcatreu  properties were 
based  upon  information  prepared  by  or  under  the  supervision 
of Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., Executive Vice President Geology 
&  Exploration  and  Martin  G.  Wafforn,  P.Eng.,  Vice  President 
Technical  Services,  who  are  “Qualified  Persons”  for  purposes 
of National Instrument 43-101. Navidad resource estimates were 
prepared by Pamela De Mark, P. Geo., Director, Resources who is 
also a Qualified Person for purposes of National Instrument 43-
101.  Mineral resource estimates for Hog Heaven and Waterloo 
are based on historical third party estimates.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

15

CORE BUSINESS AND STRATEGY
Pan American  engages  in  silver  mining  and  related  activities, 
including 
extraction, 
exploration,  mine  development, 
processing, refining and reclamation. The Company owns and 
operates silver mines located in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and 
Bolivia.  In  addition,  the  Company  is  exploring  for  new  silver 
deposits throughout South America and Mexico. The Company 
is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Symbol: PAA) and on 
the NASDAQ Exchange in New York (Symbol: PAAS).

Pan American was founded in 1994 with the specific intention 
of providing investors with the best investment opportunity to 
gain real exposure to silver prices.  The Company's mission is to 
be the largest and lowest cost primary silver mining company 
globally. To realize this mission, Pan American’s strategy is to 
focus  on  growing  its  base  of  low  cost  silver  production  and 
silver mineral reserves by constantly optimizing its production 
methods,  and  developing  new  silver  deposits 
through 
acquisition and exploration. 

To  execute  this  strategy,  Pan  American  has  assembled  a 
sector  leading  team  of  mining  professionals  with  a  depth  of 
exploration, construction, operating, and financing knowledge 
that  allows  the  Company  to  confidently  advance  early  stage 
projects through construction and into operation. 

Pan  American  is  determined  to  conduct  its  business  in  a 
responsible and sustainable manner. 

Being  responsible  for  the  environment  in  which  we  operate, 
long-term  development  of  our  host 
contributing  to  the 
communities  and  ensuring  that  our  employees  can  work  in 
a  safe  and  secure  manner  are  core  values  at  Pan  American.  
We  are  committed  to  maintaining  positive  relations  with 
our  employees,  the  local  communities  and  the  government 
agencies, all of whom we view as partners in our enterprise.

Pan American’s priority at every operation is the safety of our 
employees.   We  believe  that  comprehensive  and  continuous 
training  is  fundamental  to  the  safety  of  our  employees. With 
our comprehensive safety training and strictly enforced safety 
procedures,  our  goal  is  to  continually  improve  our  safety 
performance  and  remain  industry  leaders  in  the  health  and 
safety of our workers.

In addition, the Company is committed to operating our mines 
and developing new projects in an environmentally responsible 
manner. We  have  developed  a  comprehensive  environmental 
policy, which all operations adhere to and apply to their short 
and long-term plans. This policy addresses topics that include 
water  use  and  recycling,  waste  disposition,  the  research  and 
use  of  alternative  energies,  compliance  with  required  laws, 
closure requirements and education initiatives. Each operation 
runs unique environmental programs according to its location, 
needs, resources and processes. We have a proactive approach 
to  minimizing  and  mitigating  environmental  impacts  during 
all  phases  of  the  mining  cycle  from  exploration  through 
project  development  and  into  full  mining  operations.  This 
is  accomplished  by  applying  prudent  design  and  operating 
practices,  continuous  monitoring  and  by  providing  training 
and education for the employees and contractors who work at 
our facilities.  

The  Company  recognizes  that  the  skills  and  dedication  of 
our  employees  and  contractors  are  important  drivers  of  our 
success.  We  also  recognize  the  vital  contribution  they  make 
to  the  economic  prosperity  of  the  communities  in  which 
we  operate.  As  such,  we  offer  leading  career  development 
opportunities, competitive remuneration, an engaging working 
environment and a supportive culture where fairness, respect, 
safety and diversity are valued and practiced.

track 

Pan  American’s  operational 
record  and  strong 
financial  standing  has  positioned  the  Company  to  take  full 
advantage  of  strategic  opportunities  in  the  silver  market, 
as  they  arise.    As  such,  on  January  23,  2012  the  Company 
and  Minefinders  Corporation  Ltd.  (TSX:  MFL;  NYSE/AMEX: 
MFN)  (“Minefinders”)  announced  that  they  had  entered  into 
a  definitive  agreement  pursuant  to  which  Pan  American  will 
acquire  all  of  the  issued  and  outstanding  common  shares  of 
Minefinders by way of a plan of arrangement. This transaction, 
upon  successful  completion,  creates  the  leading,  growth-
oriented,  geographically-diversified  silver  producer  with  a 
combined market capitalization of approximately $4 billion as 
measured  at  the  announcement  date,  an  exceptional  growth 
profile,  and  enhanced  portfolio  diversification.  Assuming 
the  Company  receives  shareholder  approval  at  the  meetings 
to  be  held  on  March  26,  2012,  the  Company  expects  to  close 
this  transaction  by  the  end  of  March.  Please  refer  to  the 
“Minefinders Transaction” section for more details.

Pan American  has  seven  operating  mines  and  also  owns  the 
world  class  Navidad  silver  development  project  in Argentina, 
and  is  the  operator  of  the  La  Preciosa  project  in  Mexico  -  a 
considerable  portfolio  of  quality  silver  assets  providing 
diversification of political and operational risk.  Pan American 
also produces significant quantities of gold and base metals as 
by-products to its silver mining activities. The following charts 
reflect  the  geographic  diversity  of  our  silver  production  and 
the breakdown of our revenue, by metal type, for 2011. Mexico 
accounted  for  44%  of  the  Company’s  silver  production,  while 
silver  and  gold  combined  to  make  up  86%  of  the  Companies 
consolidated revenue for 2011.

2011 SILVER PRODUCTION
BY COUNTRY

Mexico 
Peru 
Argentina 
Bolivia 

44%
25%
17%
14%

2011 REVENUE BY METAL

Silver 
Gold 
Zinc 
Copper 
Lead 

73%
13%
7%
4%
3%

14%

17%

44%

25%

13%

3%

4%
7%

73%

16

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

HIGHLIGHTS Of 2011
OPERATIONS & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Silver Production 
Silver production was 21.9 million ounces in 2011, a decrease of 
10% over the record production of 24.3 million ounces in 2010. 
This decrease was mainly attributable to operational challenges 
at our Peruvian operations, where silver production declined by 
a combined 1.5 million ounces, in addition to lower silver grades 
at  Alamo  Dorado,  where  5.3  million  ounces  was  produced 
compared to 6.7 million ounces in 2010.

Navidad Project Update
The  Company  significantly  advanced  the  technical  studies  and 
continued its corporate social responsibility efforts during 2011, 
spending  approximately  $51  million. The  Company  conducted 
resource  modeling  and  mine  planning, 
inclusive  of  37 
kilometers of infill and step-out drilling, and advanced the basic 
engineering in support of a feasibility study and environmental 
impact assessment, both of which are ready for finalization upon 
the positive announcement of a change in the laws in Chubut, 
Argentina  to  allow  for  open  pit  mining. The  2011  expenditures 
also  included  certain  long  lead  time  equipment  purchases  as 
well as an investment in securing additional surface land rights. 
The  Company  continued  to  make  investments  in  the  local 
communities that will enable integration of the project and has 
purchased long-lead time crushing and grinding equipment.

La Preciosa Update
On August 11, 2011, the Company released a positive Preliminary 
Economic Analysis (“PEA”) for the La Preciosa project. The PEA 
estimates  average  annual  production  of  6.8  million  ounces  of 
silver  and  11,800  ounces  of  gold  at  a  cash  cost  of  $11.84  per 
ounce of silver, net of by-product credits for a twelve year life. 
The  100%  basis  after-tax  net  present  value  at  a  5%  discount 
rate is expected to be $315 million with a project IRR of 24.3% 
(assuming  prices  of  $25  per  ounce  for  silver  and  $1,250  per 
ounce for gold).

Robust Proven and Probable Silver Mineral Reserves
A  successful  exploration  and  resource  conversion  program 
in  2011  more  than  replaced  mineral  reserves  that  were  mined 
during the year. As at December 31, 2011, Proven and Probable 
mineral reserves totaled 235.3 million ounces. For the complete 
breakdown of mineral reserves and resources by property and 
category,  refer  to  section  “Mineral  Reserves  and  Resources” 
contained herein.

fINANCIAL

Record Revenue 
Annual revenue in 2011 was a record $855.3 million, an increase 
of  32%  over  2010  revenue,  driven  primarily  by  higher  realized 
prices for all metals, partially offset by decreased quantities of 
all metals sold.  

Record Mine Operating Earnings 
Mine  operating  earnings  in  2011  increased  to  a  record  $409.1 
million,  an  increase  of  70%  over  the  prior  year,  as  growth  in 
revenue noted above significantly outweighed increases in cost 
of sales.

Record Operating Cash Flow 
Cash  flow  from  operations  was  at  a  record  $359.5  million,  a 
48% increase from 2010. The additional operating cash flow was 
mainly attributable to increased cash flow from both operations 
in Mexico, Alamo Dorado and La Colorada, as well as Manantial 
Espejo, which combined to generate $250.5 million. 

Record Liquidity and Working Capital Position 
The  Company  had  a  record  cash  and  short  term  investment 
balance  of  $491.2  million  and  a  working  capital  position  at  a 
record $566.4 million at December 31, 2011, an increase of $130.7 
million and $136.5 million, respectively, from a year ago. 

Record Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings   
The Company had record net earnings of $354.1 million and after 
adjusting for the derivative mark to market gain on its warrants, 
the  adjusted  earnings  were  also  a  record  at  $252.3  million 
compared  to  2010  figures  of  $15.7  million  and  $106.4  million, 
respectively. Please refer to the section, “Alternative Performance 
Measures”, of this MD&A for a description of this measure.

Returning Value to Shareholders  
Driven  by  the  record  operating  cash  flows  described  above, 
the  Company  announced  its  intention  to  purchase  up  to 
approximately 5.4 million of its common shares under a normal 
course  issuer  bid,  representing  up  to  5%  of  Pan  American’s 
issued and outstanding shares on August 26, 2011. The Company 
commenced this share buy-back program during Q3 2011 and as 
at the date of this MD&A has purchased approximately 3.6 million 
shares at an average price of $26.20 for a total consideration of 
about $94.0 million. In addition, the Company continued to pay 
quarterly  dividends  of  $0.025  per  share  during  the  year  ($0.10/
share in aggregate for the year), thereby paying $10.7 million in 
dividends to our shareholders. 

MINEfINDERS TRANSACTION
On January 23, 2012, Pan American and Minefinders announced 
that  they  had  entered 
into  a  definitive  agreement  (the 
“Arrangement  Agreement”)  pursuant  to  which  Pan  American 
will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of 
Minefinders by way of a plan of arrangement. Under the terms of 
the Arrangement Agreement,  Minefinders’  shareholders  will  be 
entitled to elect to receive, in exchange for each Minefinders share 
held, either: (i) 0.55 shares of Pan American and CDN$1.84 in cash; 
or (ii) 0.6235 shares of Pan American; or (iii) CDN$15.60 in cash, 
subject to pro-ration under total aggregate cash and share pools.  
The  consideration  represents  a  total  offer  value  of  CDN$15.60 
per  Minefinders  share  and  implies  a  total  transaction  value  of 
CDN$1.38 billion. Following completion of the transaction, former 
Minefinders’ securityholders will own up to approximately 32% 
of  Pan  American,  on  a  fully-diluted  basis.  The  Arrangement 
Agreement, as amended can be obtained under Pan American’s 
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  

The proposed acquisition is subject to approval by Pan American’s 
shareholders and Mindfinders’ securityholders, and the terms and 
conditions  for  the  proposed  transaction  are  summarized  in  the 
management  information  circulars  provided  to  Pan  American’s 
shareholders  and  Minefinders’  securityholders.  The  Company 
expects  that  a  special  meeting  of  the  Company’s  shareholders 
will  take  place  on  March  26,  2012  to  approve  the  issuance  of 
Pan  American  shares  pursuant  to  the  proposed  acquistion.  If 
approved  by  Pan  American’s  shareholders  and  Minefinders’ 
securityholders, the Company expects to complete the proposed 
transaction on or about March 30, 2012. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

17

Management and the Company’s Board of Directors fully support the proposed acquisition and, assuming all necessary approvals are 
obtained  and  the  transaction  completes,  believe  that  significant  strategic  benefits  to  Pan American’s  shareholders  resulting  from  the 
acquisition will include: (i) enhanced operating and development portfolio diversification towards producing assets, (ii) additional near-
term cash flow, (iii) creation of the leading growth profile in the silver sector, (iv) a meaningful reduction of our average silver cash costs 
across  our  production  portfolio,  (v)  addition  of  significant  silver  and  gold  mineral  reserves  and  resources  with  excellent  potential  to 
increase even further through exploration (vi) a number of attractive near-term opportunities to drive production growth, (vii) a strong 
balance sheet and access to capital; and (viii) increases in the Company’s exposure to the prices of silver and gold.  

Assuming the necessary approvals are obtained and the transaction completes, the addition of the Dolores mine’s production to Pan 
American’s current portfolio of producing assets should have a significant positive impact on the Company’s 2012 production forecast.

2012 OPERATING OUTLOOK
This section of the MD&A provides management’s production and costs forecasts for 2012. Major capital projects planned for each of 
the  operations  in  2012  are  also  discussed. The  Company  has  not  included  any  production  forecasts  from  Minefinders’  Dolores  mine.  
Pending the successful completion of the Minefinders acquisition at the end of March 2012, the Company expects to update its forecast to 
incorporate production from the Dolores mine. These are forward-looking estimates and subject to the cautionary note regarding the risks 
associated with forward looking statements at the end of this MD&A.

The following table sets out management forecast for silver production and cash and total costs per ounce at each operation in 2012. 

Silver Production ounces (000's)

Cash Costs per ounce1

Total Costs per ounce1

SILVER PRODUCTION FORECAST

Huaron

Morococha

Quiruvilca

Alamo Dorado

La Colorada

San Vicente

Manantial Espejo

 2,730 - 2,820  

1,740 - 1,820 

210 

 5,070 - 5,370 

4,100 - 4,260  

3,400 - 3,520  

4,250 - 4,500  

CONSOLIDATED TOTAL

21,500 - 22,500  

  $20.90 - $22.70  

  $24.60 - $26.50 

 $31.30

  $6.40 - $6.80  

 $9.50 - $9.90  

  $18.40 - $18.70 

 $8.60 - $10.40 

 $12.50 - $13.50  

$22.60 - $24.46

$29.85 - $31.75

$36.4

$10.25 - $10.65

$10.81 - $11.21

$22.57 - $22.87

$17.03 - $18.83

$16.74 - $17.74

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 
of these measures to our cost of sales. The cash cost forecasts assume by-product credit prices of $1,900/tonne ($0.86/lb) for Zinc, $2,000/tonne ($0.91/lb) for Lead, 
$7,300/tonne ($3.31/lb) for Copper, and $1,600/oz for gold.

Silver production is expected to increase slightly from 2011’s production to between 21.5 and 22.5 million ounces.  The expected increase is 
primarily due to higher production at Manantial Espejo and San Vicente as well as modest increases at Huaron and Morococha. Offsetting 
these increases is the decrease on account of an ongoing strategic analysis of the Quiruvilca operation, which may lead to eliminating its 
contribution to Pan American’s consolidated production during the second quarter 2012. 

18

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
CASH AND TOTAL COSTS fORECASTS

Cash  costs  are  expected  to  increase  to  approximately  $12.50  to  $13.50  per  ounce  of  payable  silver  in  2012  compared  to  the  2011 
cash  costs  of  $9.44  per  ounce.    Cash  costs  are  expected  to  increase  primarily  due  to  increases  in  direct  operating  costs  (mostly 
labour related), royalties, treatment charges, and reduced by-product credits due to lower base metal production and prices assumed.  
Royalties are expected to increase sharply as a result of the COMIBOL royalty at San Vicente increasing to 37.5% from 9.4% following 
the recovery of our investment as defined in the joint venture contract.  

The non-cash component of our total cost per ounce is expected to increase to $4.24 per ounce relative to the 2011 comparable of 
$4.07 per ounce, as higher depreciation charges arise from the start of amortization of the new Morococha facilities and other capital 
expansions incurred in 2011.

BY-PRODUCT PRODUCTION FORECAST

Huaron

Morococha

Quiruvilca

Alamo Dorado

La Colorada

San Vicente

Gold 
ounces

 1,400 - 1,500  

 1,250 - 1,300 

 300 

 14,700 - 15,300  

  3,150 - 3,200  

- 

Manantial Espejo

 54,200 - 58,400 

Zinc 
tonnes

9,400 - 9,600  

 11,800 - 12,400 

 1,700  

 - 

 4,800 - 4,900  

 5,300 - 5,400  

 - 

Lead
tonnes

 4,300 - 4,400  

 3,100 - 3,450 

  600  

 - 

  2,620 - 2,660  

380 - 390  

 - 

Copper
tonnes

 1,000 - 1,450  

 1,200 - 1,250 

 300 

 -  

 - 

 - 

 - 

CONSOLIDATED TOTAL

 75,000 - 80,000  

 33,000 - 34,000 

 11,000 - 11,500 

 2,500 - 3,000  

Gold  production  in  2012  is  expected  to  be  in  line  with  2011  production  levels  as  increases  in  throughput  rates  and  gold  grades  at 
Manantial Espejo are expected to offset the loss of gold production from Quiruvilca and small decreases in gold production at all other 
operations.  

Production of zinc, lead, and copper is expected to decrease marginally in 2012 as compared to 2011’s production primarily due to the 
loss of Quiruvilca’s contribution to production, as well as other fluctuations primarily driven by changes in grades.  

Precious metals are expected to contribute some 89% of our revenue in 2012, up from 86% of revenue in 2011.  The geographic diversity 
of the revenue base will continue to enhance in 2012 with the Mexican operations contributing 39% of revenue, 27% from Argentina, 
the Peruvian operations 21%, and 13% from Bolivia. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

19

CAPITAL ExPENDITURE fORECASTS

The  Company  is  planning  to  invest  $87.5  million  in  sustaining 
capital and $35.1 on project development in 2012, as set out in 
the table below:

CAPITAL BUDGET (in millions)

Huaron

Morococha

Alamo Dorado

La Colorada

San Vicente

Manantial Espejo

Mine Capital

Navidad (Pre-law reform)1

Morococha Project

Other

Project Development Capital  

TOTAL CAPITAL

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

19.2

19.3

10.3

16.1

5.4

17.2

87.5

22.8

7.5

4.7

35.1

122.5

1   Please  see  section “2012  Project  Development  Outlook”  for  discussion  of 
the Navidad Project capital expenditure plans post the pending law reform.

MINING OPERATIONS fORECASTS

A brief description of each mine and management’s forecast for 
each operation’s production, cash cost performance and capital 
requirements in 2012 follows.

Huaron Mine
The Huaron silver-zinc underground polymetallic mine is located 
320  highway  kilometres  northeast  of  Lima  in  the  heart  of  the 
Cerro  de  Pasco  district. This  is  one  of  Peru's  most  important 
mining districts, accounting for more than half of the country's 
silver production. Since operations began in 1912, Huaron has 
produced more than 230 million ounces of silver.  

Pan American  acquired  a  majority  interest  in  Huaron  in  March 
2000  and  re-opened  the  mine  in  April  2001  after  completing 
a  feasibility  study,  arranging  financing  and  completing  site 
rehabilitations.

In  2012,  Huaron  plans  to  increase  mining  and  milling  rates  by 
5%  from  its  2011  throughput  rates  by  accessing  additional  ore 
zones deeper in the mine.  The increased throughput along with 
a slight recovery improvement, partially offset by a 3% decrease 
in  silver  grade,  is  expected  to  result  in  a  modest  increase  in 
silver  production. The  expected  increase  in  throughput  rates 
is also expected to yield higher production of zinc and copper, 
while lead production is expected to decline slightly.

Costs  per  dry  metric  tonne  (“DMT”)  milled  are  budgeted  to 
increase  by  13%  as  compared  to  2011  primarily  as  a  result  of 
increased underground development and drilling rates to access 
the additional ore, higher labour costs and social benefits, and 
higher raw materials and supply costs. Cash costs per ounce are 
expected to increase significantly over the 2011 cash costs due to 
a decrease in by-product credits due to lower base metal prices, 
combined with the increases in direct operating costs, smelting 
and refining costs, and royalties.

Capital  spending  of  $19.2  million  at  Huaron  in  2012  will  allow 
for mine development, exploration to replace mineral reserves 
mined,  installation  of  ventilation  raise  bores,  additional  mine 
equipment  as  well  as  a  significant  tailings  facility  expansion. 
The capital expenditures planned at Huaron in 2012 also reflects 
a  commitment  to  improve  camp  and  working  conditions,  with 
new accommodations and recreational facilities, a change house 
and the modernization of the main workshop.  

Morococha Mine
Pan American acquired the Morococha mine in Peru in August 
2004. Morococha is a silver-zinc rich underground polymetallic 
vein  mine  located  approximately  180  highway  kilometres  
southeast  of  the  Company's  Huaron  mine  or  140  highway 
kilometres east of Lima. 

The Morococha district has been mined continuously for more 
than 100 years and lies within one of the world's most prolific 
mineral belts for polymetallic vein systems.  Morococha hosts a 
very large and productive network of veins, mantos, skarns, and 
other  replacement  ore  bodies  within  a  mineral  rights  package 
covering 110 square kilometres of concessions.

Tonnes  milled,  silver  and  zinc  grades,  and  recoveries  at 
Morococha in 2012 are all expected to improve slightly compared 
to 2011 levels due to increased underground development rates, 
resulting in an improved production profile, with the exception 
of copper production which is expected to decline due to lower 
grades and recoveries.  

Operating costs are expected to increase by 10% over 2011 costs 
primarily  as  a  result  of  increased  underground  development 
and  drilling  rates,  higher  smelting  and  refining  costs,  labour, 
raw  material  and  supplies,  mine  development  costs,  camp 
administration  costs  and  geology  expenses.  The  Company 
anticipates cash cost per ounce in 2012 to increase due to lower 
base  metal  by-product  credits,  combined  with  the  increase  in 
direct operating costs mentioned above.

The primary objective of Morococha’s 2012 capital budget, which 
totals  $19.3  million,  is  to  integrate  production  from  various 
ore  sources,  which  requires  significant  investments  in  mine 
development.  Capital  expenditures  are  planned  for  primary 
ramp developments in the Yacumina, Codiciada and Alapampa 
mining  areas.  In  addition,  capital  has  been  allocated  for  new 
mine  equipment,  installation  of  a  backfill  plant,  workshop 
upgrades,  ventilation  raises  and  mine  exploration  activities.  In 
addition, investments are planned for camp improvements and 
communication upgrades.

Quiruvilca Mine
The  Quiruvilca  mine  is  located  in  Peru  approximately  130 
kilometres to the east  of the coastal city of  Trujillo.  Mineralization 
was  first  reported  in  the  area  in  1789,  and  the  mine  has  been 
in continuous operation since 1926. The underground workings 
cover  an  area  four  kilometres  long  by  three  kilometres  wide 
and extend more than 400 meters in depth. Pan American has 
operated Quiruvilca since acquiring the property from ASARCO 
in late 1995.

Our  intention  at  Quiruvilca  in  2012  is  to  assess  strategic 
alternatives  for  the  mine  which  may  include  continuing  to 
operate  the  mine,  divestiture  or  placing  the  operation  on  care 
and  maintenance.  Accordingly,  only  production  for  the  first 
quarter  of  the  year  has  been  included  in  our  2012  guidance, 
pending a decision based on our assessment. 

20

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Alamo Dorado Mine
Alamo Dorado is an open-pit mine located in the Mexican state 
of Sonora, approximately 320 kilometres from the state capital 
of Hermosillo. Pan American acquired the Alamo Dorado project 
in  February  2003. The  mine  began  commercial  production  on 
April 1, 2007 after the construction of the mine, plant and related 
infrastructure was completed substantially on schedule and on 
budget at the end of 2006. 

In  2012,  Alamo  Dorado  will  aim  to  process  an  average  of 
between  4,850  and  5,050  ore  tonnes  per  day  at  similar  silver 
grades  to  2011,  with  silver  recoveries  expected  to  increase  to 
88% as a result of additional leaching capacity. Based on these 
assumptions,  the  mine  is  expected  to  maintain  steady  silver 
production while gold production is expected to decline by 9% 
due to lower grades. 

Cash costs per ounce are expected to increase from $4.80 to a 
range of $6.40 to $6.80, as direct operating costs are expected to 
increase and by-product credits from gold revenues to decline. 
The  expected  increase  in  operating  costs  is  being  driven  by 
escalation  in  consumables,  energy,  labour  and  security  costs 
which includes an increased frequency of silver doré shipments.

Capital expenditures are expected to be $10.3 million, comprised 
primarily  of  waste  pre-stripping  of  the  Phase  III  open  pit 
extension to increase the mine life, the addition of a further two 
leach tanks to maximize silver recovery, and the introduction of a 
grinding automation control program to maximize throughputs.

La Colorada Mine
Pan  American  acquired  the  La  Colorada  mine  in  1998  and 
began  to  refurbish  the  mine  and  construct  a  650  tonne  per 
day silver and gold oxide ore processing plant with associated 
infrastructure. Following the commissioning of the oxide plant in 
2003, the Company made additional investments to expand the 
mine and the pre-existing sulphide processing plant to produce 
silver, gold, lead, and zinc from an expanded 750 tonne per day 
sulphide plant, which was first commissioned in 2006. The mine 
consists  of  six  continuous  blocks  of  exploration  permits  and 
exploitation claims totalling 2,230 hectares. 

The project lies within one of Mexico’s geologic belts known as 
the  "Faja  de  Plata"  (silver  belt)  that  extends  for  800  kilometres 
along  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains  and  is  defined  by  prolific 
silver  deposits.  The  continued  exploration  success  achieved 
at  La  Colorada  reported  over  the  last  five  years  illustrates  the 
excellent  potential  for  extending  mineral  reserves  through 
discovery and additional development.

In  2012  La  Colorada  will  continue  shifting  production  from  the 
oxide zone and expand production from the sulphide zone. This 
transition will be facilitated by the introduction of a new sulphide 
tailings facility. Stable throughput, grades and recovery rates are 
expected to result in similar silver production to 2011. The shift 
towards more sulphide ore feed, combined with slightly higher 
lead and zinc grades is expected to result in higher base metal 
by-product production, but lower gold production as compared 
to 2011.  

Operating costs in 2012 are expected to increase by approximately 
9%  compared  to  costs  in  2011  due  to  escalation  in  the  cost  of 
consumables, energy, labour and security. Cash costs per ounce 
are expected to increase from 2011’s cash cost level due to the 
effect of an increase in the direct operating costs, together with 
a net reduction in by-product credits. 

Capital expenditures at La Colorada in 2012 are expected to be 
$16.1 million, and are comprised mostly of expenditures related 
to  mine  development  and  underground  mine  equipment, 
continuation  of  the  deep  exploration  drilling  program,  and  a 
new lower level pump station. Work to complete the sulphides 
tailings dam is expected to require $3.0 million while $1.1 million 
is planned for an expansion of the sulphide plant.

San Vicente Mine
The  San  Vicente  silver-zinc  mine  is  located  in  the  Bolivian 
Andes. More than 20 bonanza type silver-zinc veins are known 
to  occur  over  an  area  of  15  square  kilometres  and  extend  to 
at least 200 meters in depth. The project consists of 15 mining 
concessions totalling 8,159 hectares. 

San  Vicente  was  operated  from  1972  to  1993  by  COMIBOL, 
the  Bolivian  state  mining  company.  In  1999  Pan  American 
optioned  the  project  from  COMIBOL  under  a  joint  venture 
agreement.  Following  acquisition,  Pan American  investigated 
several  development  alternatives  for  San  Vicente  with  local 
partnerships  and  by  May  2007  secured  95.0%  interest  in  the 
operating company of the Joint Venture Project with COMIBOL.  
Under  the  Joint  Venture  agreement,  COMIBOL  retains  the 
rights  to  collect  9.4%  of  the  operating  cash  flow  while  the 
Company  recovers  its  capital  investment  increasing  to  37.5% 
thereafter.  Between  2000  and  2007  the  Company  invested  in 
exploration  drilling,  underground  development  drifting,  and 
performing various feasibility and development studies while 
conducting  limited  mining  and  toll  milling  production  at  a 
nearby  neighbouring  processing  facility.  During  this  period, 
Pan  American  discovered  the  rich  Litoral  Ramo  II  vein  which 
served  to  significantly  increase  the  Proven  and  Probable 
reserves  at  the  mine.    Pan  American  decided  in  mid-2007  to 
invest in expanding the mine by developing a modern trackless 
long-hole  mining  operation  for  the  Litoral  Ramo  II  vein  and 
constructing  its  own  750  tonne-per-day  processing  facility. 
Commissioning  activities  proceeded  smoothly  since  the April 
2009  start-up  leading  the  Company  to  declare  commercial 
production in the first month of operation.

In 2012, the Company expects to operate San Vicente at 8% to 
10% higher throughput rates from the continued development 
of  the  high-grade  Litoral  vein,  which  is  expected  to  deliver 
ore  grades  similar  to  2011.   As  a  consequence,  San Vicente  is 
expected to increase its contribution of silver and zinc to Pan 
American (95% interest) from 2011 levels.  

Operating  costs  are  expected  to  increase  in  2012  with  higher 
throughput  rates  and 
the  Company  anticipates  paying 
significantly  higher  royalties  to  COMIBOL  pursuant  to  the 
joint  venture  agreement.  As  defined  in  this  agreement,  the 
royalty paid to COMIBOL increases to 37.5% of operating cash 
flow  from  the  2011  9.4%  levels  upon  recovery  of  our  initial 
construction capital at San Vicente. The recovery of our initial 
construction  capital  pursuant  to  the  COMIBOL  agreement  is 
expected  to  occur  during  the  early  part  of  2012. Accordingly, 
the  Company  expects  to  pay  an  additional  $15.7  million  in 
royalties in 2012 compared to the 2011 expense. Cash costs per 
ounce are expected to increase substantially due primarily to 
the increase in COMIBOL royalties, together with an expected 
decrease in by-product credits on the assumption of lower zinc 
prices in 2012.

The  main  components  of  the  capital  investments  planned  for 
2012 at San Vicente, which total $5.4 million, include $1.6 million 
for  mine  development  and  a  mobile  equipment  maintenance 
shop, and $1.0 million for resource development.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

21

Calcatreu, focus on community engagement, including assisting 
those  areas  affected  by  volcanic  ash  problems  and  update 
the  EIA. The  Company  expects  to  spend  $3.7  million  on  these 
activities in 2012, all of which will be expensed.

At  La  Preciosa,  our  objective  is  to  complete  a  feasibility  study 
by mid 2012, assuming an agreement is reached with Orko for 
an extension of the delivery date, originally scheduled for April 
2012.  Work  to  be  completed  in  2012  includes  a  geotechnical 
assessment, plant and surface engineering and the completion 
of  metallurgical  testing.  The  Company  anticipates  spending 
approximately  $5.0  million  on  these  activities  at  La  Preciosa 
in  2012  assuming  the  extension  of  the  study  delivery  date  is 
achieved and these expenditures will be expensed.

In  2010,  the  Company’s  wholly  owned  subsidiary  Compañia 
Minera  Argentum  S.A.  (“Argentum”)  which  operates  the 
Morococha  mine,  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Minera 
Chinalco  Perú 
the  Aluminum 
(“MCP”),  a  subsidiary  of 
Corporation  of  China,  which  clearly  defines  each  party’s  long 
term  surface  rights  in  the  area  of  the  mine. The  primary  focus 
of  the  agreement  is  on  the  lands  and  concessions  around  the 
Morococha  mine  and  MCP’s Toromocho  copper  project.  MCP 
requires certain lands and concessions in order to proceed with 
the  development  of  Toromocho,  including  the  surface  lands 
within  the  planned  open  pit  mining  area  of  the  Toromocho 
project. While Argentum  does  not  own  this  land,  much  of  the 
Morococha mine infrastructure and facilities are located on this 
ground. 

Under  the  terms  of  the  agreement, Argentum  will  relocate  the 
core Morococha facilities over a 5 year period and transfer certain 
mineral  concessions  and  access  rights  to  MCP.    In  exchange, 
Argentum  will  receive  a  package  of  surface  rights,  easements 
and other rights that are sufficient to relocate the facilities and 
to  continue  uninterrupted  operations,  as  well  as  periodic  cash 
payments from MCP totaling $40 million, of which, to December 
31, 2011, the Company received $13.8 million. These payments 
have been utilized towards capital expenditures incurred for the 
project as well as direct project related expenses and recorded as 
other income and offset against direct project related expenses.  
The main objectives at the Morococha relocation project in 2012 
are  to  complete  construction  of  new  facilities,  to  connect  into 
permanent power at MCP supplied substation, to secure water 
permits  and  to  successfully  relocate  53  families,  as  per  our 
agreement with MCP. In total $7.5, million is expected to be spent 
on the Morococha relocation project in 2012.  Additionally, the 
Company is expecting to receive from MCP progress payments 
of $5.0 million in 2012 of the $40 million discussed above.

Manantial Espejo Mine
Reconnaissance  exploration  on  the  Manantial  Espejo  property 
was first carried out in the 1970s by the Argentinean government.  
In  2002,  the  Company  acquired  a  50%  interest  in  the  project 
and  in  March  2006,  the  Company  negotiated  and  entered  into 
a  purchase  agreement  for  the  remaining  50%  interest,  thus 
becoming a 100% owner of the Manantial Espejo project.  

In March 2006, Pan American completed a feasibility study and 
began construction of the Manantial Espejo project, based upon 
a  combination  open  pit  and  underground  mine  plan,  and  a 
conventional milling and leaching circuit with a design capacity 
of 2,000 tonnes per day. The mine construction was completed 
in December 2008 and in 2009, its first full year of commercial 
production, the mine produced 3.8 million ounces of silver and 
over 70,000 ounces of gold at cash costs of negative $0.84 per 
ounce of silver.    

The key objectives in 2012 at Manantial Espejo are to increase 
plant  throughput  by  7%  to  9%  with  slightly  higher  grade  ore 
and  to  maintain  recoveries,  thereby  increasing  silver  and  gold 
production over 2011 levels. The 2012 mine plan calls for a total 
of 10.8 million tonnes to be mined from open pits, including 0.75 
million tonnes of ore and an additional 0.15 million ore tonnes 
to be mined from underground.    

Operating costs are expected to increase by 10% on a per tonne 
basis primarily due to the expectation of continued cost inflation 
in  Argentina,  which  affects  costs  of  labor  and  consumables. 
These increases, partially offset by higher throughputs and gold 
production  and  the  resultant  increase  in  by-product  credit  are 
the principal factors behind the higher expected cash costs.  

The capital investments planned at Manantial Espejo total $17.2 
million for 2012, with the majority of the capital planned to be 
spent  on  open  pit  and  underground  mine  development  and 
equipment  acquisitions,  expanding  the  housing  project  in  the 
nearby town of Gobernador  Gregores, upgrades to the cyanide 
neutralization  circuit,  as  well  as  continued  mineral  reserve 
definition drilling.

2012 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK
Pan  American  continues  to  work  in  an  open  and  informed 
manner with the provincial government and local communities 
regarding open pit mining in the Central Meseta of Chubut and 
remains  confident  that  this  approach  will  result  in  a  change 
in  the  mining  law  in  2012.  Accordingly,  the  Company  plans 
to  commence  detailed  engineering  early  in  2012  and  be  in  a 
position  to  issue  a  feasibility  study  and  submit  the  Navidad 
project environmental impact assessment once the mining law 
reform  has  occurred. The  forecasted  capital  cost  for  Navidad 
in  2012  is  $22.8  million  prior  to  the  anticipated  positive  law 
reform which would allow development of the Navidad Project.  
Assuming a positive construction decision can be made around 
mid-year  2012,  the  capital  expenditure  could  grow  to  $88.6 
million for the full year.

In conjunction with the feasibility work on the Navidad project 
and the recent positive law reforms in the Rio Negro Province of 
Argentina, a conceptual study on the Calcatreu Property located 
approximately  120  km  north  of  Navidad  will  be  performed  to 
assess  the  viability  of  a  combined  project  approach,  given 
the  relatively  close  proximity  of  Calcatreu  to  Navidad.  The 
Company’s  objectives  in  2012  are  to  finish  a  scoping  study  at 

22

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2011 OPERATING PERfORMANCE
The  following  table  reflects  silver  production  and  cash  costs  at  each  of  Pan American’s  operations  for  2011,  as  compared  to  2010  
and 2009.

SILVER PRODUCTION (ounces '000s)

CASH COSTS1 ($ per ounce)

Huaron

Morococha2

Quiruvilca

Pyrites Stockpiles

Alamo Dorado

La Colorada

San Vicente3

Manantial Espejo

 2011

 2010

2,769

1,712

881

-

5,300

4,296

3,130

3,767

2,987

2,633

1,245

-

6,721

3,702

3,033

3,965

2009

3,563

2,762

1,422

98

5,321

3,468

2,627

3,783

CONSOLIDATED TOTAL

21,855

24,286

23,044

 2011

14.03

16.11

17.47

 -

4.80

7.74

13.48

7.36

9.44

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2010

12.35

4.43

5.87

-

3.16

8.59

8.21

1.61

5.69

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2009

9.95

5.86

8.64

3.78

4.51

7.55

7.07

(0.84)

5.53

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 

of these measures to our cost of sales.  

2 Morococha data represents Pan American's 92.2% interest in the mine's production.
3 San Vicente data represents Pan American's 95.0% interest in the mine's production.

The graph below pictorially presents silver production by mine 
in  2011  and  highlights  the  diverse  nature  of  Pan  American’s 
silver production.

2011 SILVER PRODUCTION 
BY MINE

Alamo Dorado 
La Colorada 
Manantial Espejo 
San Vicente 
Huaron 
Morococha 
Quiruvilca 

24%
20%
17%
14%
13%
8%
4%

13%

14%

4%

8%

24%

20%

17%

In  2011,  Pan  American’s  silver  production  decreased  to  21.9 
million ounces from the record production in 2010 of 24.3 million 
ounces. This  decrease  was  primarily  a  result  of  significantly 
lower production at Alamo Dorado due to reduced grades and at 
Morococha, where lower grades and throughput rates negatively 
impacted  production.  At  our  other  operations,  decreased 
production in Peru and at Manantial Espejo were largely offset 
by increased silver production at La Colorada and San Vicente, 
which both successfully increased throughput rates.  

Silver  production  in  2011  was  0.6  million  ounces  lower  than 
management’s  forecast  of  22.5  million  ounces  as  described  in 
the  Q3  2011  MD  &  A,  with  the  largest  variances  occurring  at 
Alamo  Dorado  and  at  Manantial  Espejo,  where  an  unexpected 
mechanical breakdown was encountered in December, 2011.  

Consolidated cash costs per ounce of silver were $9.44 in 2011, 
a 66% increase from 2010’s cash costs per ounce of $5.69.  The 
increase in cash costs were primarily due to a 19% increase in 
unit  operating  costs  per  tonne,  which  were  primarily  driven 

by  higher  labour  costs,  combined  with  the  negative  impact  of 
spreading fixed costs over lower production, increases in mining 
royalties and treatment costs, exacerbated by an 8% decrease in 
by-product credits as a result of lower gold and base metal by-
product production in 2011, as shown in the table below.

The  following  tables  set  out  the  Company’s  by-product 
production  over  the  past  three  years  and  the  metal  prices 
realized for each metal produced:

BY-PRODUCT PRODUCTION

2011

78,426

37,234

12,701

4,544

2010

89,555

43,103

13,629

5,221

REALIZED PRICES

2011

35.03

1,568

2,208

2,402

8,625

$

$

$

$

$

2010

19.87

1,216

2,160

2,147

7,457

2009

100,704

44,246

14,328

6,446

2009

14.90

989

1,554

1,723

5,431

Gold ounces

Zinc tonnes

Lead tonnes

Copper tonnes

Silver/ounce

Gold/ounce

Zinc/tonne

Lead/tonne

Copper/tonne

In  2011,  production  of  all  by-product  metals  decreased  in 
comparison  to  2010  production.  Gold,  zinc,  lead  and  copper 
production  declined  by  13%,  14%,  7%  and  13%  respectively, 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

23

relative  to  2010.  Gold  production  declined  primarily  as  a  result  of  expected  lower  grades  at  Manantial  Espejo  while  base  metal 
production was negatively impacted by lower throughput at our Peruvian operations in 2011.

Actual base metal production in 2011 exceeded management’s revised expectation contained in the Q3 MD&A for zinc, lead and copper 
by 6%, 6% and 1%, respectively. Gold production in 2011 was 2% below management’s revised forecast of 80,000 to 85,000 ounces. 
The positive variance in base metal production relative to management’s guidance was due primarily to higher than anticipated grades 
and throughput rates at our Peruvian mines during the fourth quarter, while gold production was hindered by a mechanical stoppage 
at Manantial Espejo. 

An  analysis  of  each  operation’s  2011  operating  performance  measured  against  2010  operating  performance,  and  management’s 
forecasts for 2011 follows. Management’s revised forecasts, as contained in section 6 “2011 Operating Outlook” of the Q3 MD&A have 
been used for purposes of assessing the 2011 performance against management’s 2011 forecast.

HUARON MINE

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average zinc grade - %

Average silver recovery - %

Silver - ounces

Gold - ounces

Zinc - tonnes

Lead - tonnes

Copper - tonnes

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

614,437

177

2.46%

79.1%

2010

704,094

171

2.43%

77.3%

2,768,768

2,987,280

1,339

9,555

4,865

1,278

14.03

16.89

$

$

1,525

10,216

4,346

1,654

$

$

12.35

13.98

2,491,190

2,753,906

Capital Expenditures - thousands

$

13,021

$

6,606

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 

of these measures to our cost of sales.

In  2011,  mill  tonnage  at  Huaron  declined  by  13%  relative  to 
2010,  however  this  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  slightly 
higher grades and recoveries, resulting in silver production that 
declined by 7% year-on-year. Zinc, copper and gold production 
was  also  hampered  by  the  lower  throughput  rates,  while  lead  
production  increased  over  2010  levels  on  account  of  higher 
grades. The decline in throughput rates at Huaron were primarily 
a result of less than expected ore tonnes obtained from the 180 
level mine deepening area. 

Cash  costs  at  Huaron  increased  by  14%  in  2011  to  $14.03  per 
ounce mainly due to the negative effect of fixed costs on lower 
production  of  silver  ounces  and  increased  costs  associated 
with  additional  underground  mine  development  and  ground 
support  measures,  general  operating  cost  escalations  and 
the  strengthening  local  currency.  In  addition,  the  Company 
made  a  decision  during  Q3  of  2011  to  demobilize  a  significant 
number  of  contract  miners  in  favor  of  hiring  and  developing 
a  trained  workforce  in  order  to  enhance  safe  and  productive 
mine  efficiencies  for  the  long  life  available.  In  support  of  this 
effort, the Company has established a miner training center at 
Huaron to enhance efforts at training inexperienced people from 

the surrounding communities as well as to provide a center for 
improving  our  experienced  miners  skills  and  productivity.  By-
product  credits  at  Huaron  remained  similar  to  2010  as  lower 
production of zinc, copper and gold were offset by higher lead 
production and by stronger metal prices in 2011.  

Silver  production  in  2011  was  in  line  with  management’s 
revised  forecast  of  2.8  million  ounces.  Improving  throughput 
rates  positively  affected  the  production  of  by-product  metals, 
resulting  in  zinc  and  lead  production  that  was  above  revised 
levels forecast by management for 2011. 

The  actual  cash  costs  in  2011  were  within  1%  of  our  revised 
forecast of $13.89 per ounce due primarily to actual by-product 
credits  being  lower  than  expected  due  to  shortfalls  against 
expected copper metal production and lower base metal prices.

Capital  expenditures  at  Huaron  during  2011  totalled  $13.0 
million compared to our forecast of $9.9 million due primarily to 
unexpected additional mine development and mine equipment 
replacements.  

24

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

MOROCOCHA MINE*

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average zinc grade - % 

Average silver recovery - %

Silver - ounces

Gold - ounces

Zinc - tonnes

Lead - tonnes

Copper - tonnes

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver

Capital Expenditures - thousands2

* Production and cost figures are for Pan American’s 92.2% share only.  

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

483,104

128

2.74%

86.1%

2010

619,819

152

2.88%

87.0%

1,711,668

2,632,790

1,691

10,676

3,050

1,522

2,329

15,228

4,927

1,532

$

$

16.11

22.19

$

$

4.43

7.13

1,520,702

2,338,121

$

17,289

$

11,325

1  Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 

of these measures to our cost of sales.
2 Sustaining capital expenditures not including capital incurred at the Morococha project as disclosed in the section Project Development Update.

Actual silver production performance at Morococha in 2011 met 
management’s  revised  forecasts,  while  higher  than  expected 
zinc and copper production was offset by below anticipated lead 
production as a result of variations in ore grades.  

The actual cash costs in 2011 were 8% higher than our revised 
forecast of $14.87 per ounce due primarily to actual by-product 
credits being significantly lower than expected due to shortfalls 
against expected by-product metal prices.

Capital  expenditures  at  Morococha  during  2011  totalled  $17.3 
million, compared to management’s guidance of $12.2 million.  
The capital spending was primarily on increased long term mine 
development  advances,  exploration  drilling,  mine  and  plant 
equipment replacements. In addition, the Company invested in 
capital  for  the  Morococha  project  as  described  in  the “Project 
Development Update” below.  

Morococha’s  2011  silver  production  decreased  by  35%  as 
compared to 2010 mainly due to a 22% decrease in throughput 
rates  combined  with  16%  lower  silver  grades.  Zinc,  lead  and 
gold production also suffered due to the lower throughput rates, 
while  higher  copper  grades  resulted  in  similar  production  to 
2010. Throughput  rates  and  silver  grades  at  Morococha  were 
challenged by decisions to temporarily stop mining a few of the 
higher grade areas in the Yacumina and Morro Solar areas that 
were experiencing erratic grades to allow for additional reserve 
definition  studies  and  enable  optimization  of  the  mine  design 
to maximize the resource extraction and profitability from these 
areas.  In  addition,  after  attempts  to  enhance  safe  productive 
mining  at  our  Peruvian  operations  with  limited  success,  a 
decision was made during the third quarter to demobilize three 
of  four  contract  miner  groups  in  order  to  allow  hiring  and 
appropriate  training  of  Company  employees.  The  Company 
is  confident  these  decisions  will  result  in  overall  enhanced 
performance  once  the  mineralization  in  these  areas  are  better 
understood and brought back into production in 2012 and 2013.  

Cash  costs  at  Morococha  increased  by  264%  in  2011  to  $16.11 
per  ounce  due  to  the  negative  impact  of  carrying  fixed  costs 
by  substantially  reduced  silver  production,  lower  by-product 
credits  resulting  from  reduced  by-product  metal  production 
combined  with  general  cost  escalation  in  operating  costs  for 
2011 compared to 2010.    

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

25

QUIRUVILCA MINE

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average zinc grade - %

Average silver recovery -%

Silver - ounces

Gold - ounces

Zinc - tonnes

Lead - tonnes

Copper - tonnes

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver

Capital Expenditures - thousands

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

295,378

114

3.06%

81.2%

2010

323,427

141

3.58%

84.7%

880,873

1,245,030

1,687

7,745

2,399

1,030

17.47

20.32

$

$

760,191

$

1,515

1,801

10,058

2,989

1,434

5.87

6.56

1,128,557

-

$

$

$

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconcili-

ation of these measures to our cost of sales.

Cash  costs  of  $17.47  per  ounce  were  2%  above  management’s 
revised  forecast  of  $17.20  per  ounce  primarily  due  to  slightly 
higher  than  expected  mine  development  costs.  By-product 
credits  were  similar  to  management’s  expectations  as  higher 
gold production offset lower than expected base metal prices.

Capital  expenditures  at  Quiruvilca  during  2011  totalled  $1.5 
million,  compared  to  management’s  guidance  of  $2.9  million.  
The  capital  spending  was  primarily  on  mine  development 
advances and equipment replacements.  

In  2011,  Quiruvilca’s  silver  production  decreased  by  29%  in 
comparison to 2010. This decrease in silver production was due 
to  a  combination  of  lower  tonnage  and  reduced  silver  grades 
and  recoveries.  Similarly,  reduced  throughput  rates  and  lower 
zinc, lead, copper and gold grades resulted in lower production 
of those metals in 2011.    

Cash costs for 2011 were $17.47, a 198% increase from $5.87 per 
ounce a year ago, primarily due to the combined effect of lower 
throughput and grades, higher operating costs from general cost 
escalations and the strengthened local currency and decreased 
by-product  credits  resulting  from  lower  by-product  production 
in 2011. 

Silver  production  during  2011  attained  management’s  revised 
forecast of 0.9 million ounces. Base metal production also was 
in line with management’s revised forecasts, while higher than 
expected  gold  grades  resulted  production  that  was  slightly 
higher than management’s forecast.  

26

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

ALAMO DORADO MINE

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average gold grade - grams per tonne

Average silver recovery - %

Silver - ounces

Gold - ounces

Copper - tonnes

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver 

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

1,848,230

105

0.33

83.6%

5,299,841

16,607

66

2010

1,675,952

147

0.38

88.4%

6,721,258

16,746

89

$

$

4.80

8.29

$

$

3.16

7.41

5,278,892

6,683,134

Capital Expenditures - thousands

$

8,287

$

2,132

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 

of these measures to our cost of sales.

Cash costs were 2% higher than our revised forecast of $4.68 per 
ounce  as  a  result  of  lower  silver  production  partially  offset  by 
higher realized gold by-product credits resulting from increased 
gold production and gold metal prices. 

Capital expenditures at Alamo Dorado during 2011 totalled $8.3 
million,  compared  to  management’s  guidance  of  $2.0  million. 
Capital expenditures in 2011 exceeded management’s guidance 
due to an unplanned decision to construct two additional leach 
tanks in order to increase residence times, which is expected to 
increase future recovery rates. The additional leaching capacity 
is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2012.

Alamo  Dorado  was  the  Company’s  largest  silver  producer  in 
2011,  with  silver  production  of  5.3  million  ounces,  which  was 
a  21%  reduction  from  the  record  silver  production  achieved  in 
2010.  Silver  production  decreased  as  expected  from  the  2010 
levels  primarily  due  to  significantly  lower  silver  grades  and 
recoveries. The  decreased  silver  grades  were  a  result  of  the 
mining sequence in the Phase II pit during 2011 compared to the 
higher grade portions of the Phase I pit encountered in 2010. Gold 
production  of  approximately  17,000  ounces  in  2011  remained 
similar to the production levels in the comparable period of 2010 
as lower gold grades were offset by higher throughput rates.

Alamo Dorado’s cash costs per ounce were $4.80 in 2011, a 52% 
increase  from  the  2010  cash  costs  of  $3.16,  due  mainly  to  the 
negative  effect  of  lower  production  of  silver  ounces  on  fixed 
costs  and  cost  escalation,  partially  offset  by  higher  gold  by-
product credits due to higher realized gold prices in 2011.

Alamo  Dorado’s  silver  production  in  2011  was  6%  below 
management’s revised forecast of 5.6 million ounces mainly due 
to a decision to complete the in-pit phase 3 exploration drilling 
program,  which  disrupted  mining  activities.  Gold  production 
was  3%  ahead  of  the  revised  forecast  of  16,071  ounce  as  gold 
grades realized exceeded expectations.  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

27

LA COLORADA MINE

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average silver recovery - %

Silver - ounces

Gold - ounces

Zinc - tonnes

Lead - tonnes

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver 

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

404,533

369

89.5%

2010

345,697

378

88.0%

4,295,783

3,701,568

4,104

4,466

2,388

7.74

8.99

$

$

4,312

2,940

1,366

8.59

9.73

$

$

4,093,851

3,537,905

Capital Expenditures - thousands

$

13,301

$

9,118

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconcili-

ation of these measures to our cost of sales.

Silver production at the La Colorada mine in 2011 was 4.3 million 
ounces,  a  16%  increase  compared  to  the  previous  year. This 
increase was due to higher throughput rates and improved silver 
recoveries as a result of benefits from previous investments in 
mine  development,  mine  equipment  purchases,  ventilation 
and  dewatering  which  are  enabling  higher  productivities  and 
efficiencies.  Production  of  lead  and  zinc  benefited  from  higher 
throughput, while lower gold grades led to a modest decrease 
in gold production.

Actual cash costs of $7.74 were 3% higher than management’s 
revised forecast of $7.51 per ounce as higher operating costs 
were  partially  off-set  by  better  than  expected  by-product 
metal production. 

Capital  expenditures  at  La  Colorada  during  2011  totalled  $13.3 
million, which exceeded our forecast of $10.8 million. The capital 
was  spent  mainly  on  a  tailings  dam  expansion,  a  mine  back-fill 
plant, sulphide plant equipment upgrades, and exploration works.

Cash costs decreased by 10% in 2011 compared to 2010 to $7.74 
per  ounce  as  a  result  of  significantly  increased  by-product 
credits, partially offset by higher operating costs.   

Actual  silver  production  at  La  Colorada  in  2011  achieved 
management’s revised forecast of 4.3 million ounces, as higher 
throughput  rates  offset  slightly  lower  realized  silver  grades 
than  expected.  Actual  by-product  grades  realized  varied  from 
management’s  expectations  resulting  in  gold  production  that 
was  slightly  below  expectations,  while  both  zinc  and  lead 
production exceeded our revised guidance by 5%. 

28

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

SAN VICENTE MINE*

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average zinc grade - %

Average silver recovery - %

Silver - ounces

Zinc - tonnes

Copper - tonnes

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

282,960

382

2.26%

90.1%

2010

271,483

389

2.29%

89.1%

3,130,145

3,033,046

4,792

649

13.48

17.14

$

$

4,661

512

8.21

12.07

$

$

2,849,243

2,823,869

Capital Expenditures - thousands

$

4,975

$

6,007

* Production and interest figures are for Pan American’s 95.0% share only.
1  Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 
of these measures to our cost of sales.

Actual  cash  costs  of  $13.48  were  5%  above  management’s 
revised forecast due to higher than expected mining royalties, 
treatment  and  refining  charges  and  operating  costs.  Mining 
royalties  that  the  Company  pays  in  Bolivia  are  directly  linked 
to  metal  prices  and  operating  cash  flow  generated,  which 
exceeded  management’s  forecasts,  partially  offset  by  higher 
than  expected  by-product  credits  on  higher  zinc  and  copper 
production.

Capital  expenditures  at  San  Vicente  during  2011  totalled 
$5.0  million,  which  was  close  to  management’s  forecasts 
of  $4.6  million.  Expenditures  consisted  mainly  of  spending 
on  community  infrastructure  and  water  treatment  facility 
upgrades,  the  construction  of  a  new  fuel  station,  additional 
underground mine equipment and exploration drilling.

In  2011,  San  Vicente’s  silver  production  increased  by  3% 
compared  to  its  2010  production,  mainly  due  to  higher 
throughput  rates  and  recoveries,  partially  offset  by  lower 
silver grades. Zinc and copper production levels also increased 
compared  to  the  same  period  last  year,  primarily  due  to  the 
increased throughput rates.  

Cash costs at San Vicente increased by 64% to $13.48 in 2011 
as  compared  to  the  previous  year. The  higher  cash  costs  in 
2011  resulted  from  the  combined  effect  of  (i)  a  36%  increase 
in  royalties,  which  are  calculated  on  operating  cash  flow, 
(ii)  a  110%  increase  in  smelting  costs,  primarily  due  to  the 
deterioration  in  terms  for  high  silver  grade  concentrates  and 
(iii)  an  11%  increase  in  operating  costs,  primarily  driven  by 
increases in labor costs. These factors were partially offset by 
higher  zinc  and  copper  by-product  credits  due  to  increased 
production and prices of those metals.

Actual silver production attributable to Pan American in 2011 of 
3.1  million  ounces  was  slightly  below  management’s  revised 
forecast  of  3.2  million  ounces,  as  the  higher  than  expected 
throughput  rates  were  offset  by  the  lower  than  anticipated 
silver grades. Zinc and copper production benefited from higher 
throughput rates and exceeded the revised forecast by 6%.  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

29

MANANTIAL ESPEJO MINE

Tonnes milled

Average silver grade - grams per tonne

Average gold grade - grams per tonne

Average silver recovery - %

Average gold recovery - %

Silver - ounces

Gold - ounces

Cash costs per ounce1

Total costs per ounce1

Payable ounces of silver

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

697,205

185

2.48

90.2%

95.1%

3,766,504

52,998

2010

717,463

191

2.81

90.5%

94.7%

3,964,822

62,843

$

$

7.36

15.89

$

$

1.61

10.16

3,758,971

3,958,874

Capital Expenditures - thousands

$

16,916

$

7,021

1 Cash costs per ounce and total costs per ounce are non-GAAP measurements. Please refer to section Alternative Performance Measures for a detailed reconciliation 

of these measures to our cost of sales.

The actual cash costs in 2011 of $7.36 per ounce were 20% higher 
than the revised forecast of $5.90 per ounce. The main drivers 
for the higher than expected cash costs was the impacts of the 
plant shutdown in addition to higher than anticipated operating 
cost  inflation  in  Argentina,  compounded  by  lower  by-product 
gold credits. Major components of the operating cost increases 
were higher diesel fuel prices, spare parts and materials logistic 
costs, and employee costs. 

Capital  expenditures  at  Manantial  Espejo  during  2011  totalled 
$16.9  million,  compared  to  management’s  forecast  capital 
expenditures  of  $11.6  million.  Higher  capital  costs  were 
incurred  as  the  Company  adapted  its  operations  to  deal  with 
the  more  difficult Argentine  customs  clearances  now  required 
and  supplementing  its  fleet  with  locally  available  contractor 
equipment. The capital expenditures consisted mainly of camp 
upgrades,  development  drilling,  work  on  a  tailings  dam  raise, 
and mine exploration works. 

Silver  production  at  the  Manantial  Espejo  mine  in  2011  was 
3.8 million ounces, a 5% decrease from the production level in 
2010. This decrease was a result of the slightly lower throughput 
rates, silver grades and recoveries. Gold production decreased 
by 16% in 2011 due to lower throughput rates and gold grades 
that  were  expected  as  the  operation  normalized  towards  the 
average reserve gold grades of the deposit, which is expected to 
be approximately 2.2 grams per tonne. Lower gold grades were 
partially offset by an increase in gold recoveries.

In  2011,  cash  costs  at  Manantial  Espejo  increased  to  $7.36, 
significantly  higher  than  2010’s  cash  costs  of  $1.61  per  ounce.  
The  main  drivers  of  the  increase  in  cash  costs  were  higher 
operating  costs  mainly  due  to  an  increase  in  labour  costs  and 
the effects from the high sustained inflation rates in Argentina.  
These were partially offset by higher by-product gold prices.  

In  2011,  Manantial  Espejo’s  actual  throughput  rates  and  silver 
grades  were  below  management’s  forecast,  resulting  in  9% 
lower  silver  production  than  our  revised  forecast.  Silver 
production  was  challenged  due  to  a  two  week  unplanned 
plant  shutdown  to  facilitate  the  repair  of  the  primary  ball  mill, 
together with equipment availability issues as a consequence of 
importation restrictions that severely limited our flow of spare 
parts and materials necessary to sustain operations.  Actual gold 
production  suffered  for  the  same  reasons,  resulting  in  a  10% 
negative variance compared to our revised forecasts.  

30

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2011 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
The following table reflects the amounts spent at each of Pan American’s project developments in 2011, as compared to 2010 and 2009. 
Our accounting policies determine what portion of the amounts spent at our projects is capitalized and what portion is expensed during 
the period.

Navidad

Morococha Project

La Preciosa 

Calcatreu

TOTAL PROJECT SPENDING

2011

33,200

26,218

2,400

1,656

2010

37,177

10,259

9,989

323

$

$

$

$

2009

631

1,710

4,000

-

$

$

$

$

At the Navidad project, the Company spent a total of $33.2 million in 2011, of which $22.1 million was capitalized. In addition, certain 
long lead time equipment was purchased, including plant SAG and ball mills, primary crusher, pebble crusher, rockbreaker and liner 
handlers which totalled $17.0 million. Major activities in 2011 related to Navidad included:

•	 Advancing	the	feasibility	study	significantly	by	the	end	of	the	year.
•	 Continuing	to	optimize	the	project	design	and	production	plan.
•	 Preparing	the	project	environmental	impact	assessment	document	for	submission	once	Chubut	mining	law	is	amended.
•	 Assisting	affected	nearby	communities	in	both	Rio	Negro	and	Chubut	during	the	volcanic	ash	fallout	event	due	to	the	eruption	 

of the Puyehue volcano in Chile.

•	 Assisting	nearby	communities	with	improving	integrity	of	water	supply,	provision	of	firewood,	school	and	education	support,	

sporting events for youth, and assistance with the development of local businesses.

•	 Completion	of	exploration	drilling	program,	which	focused	on	infilling	of	known	deposits.
•	 Continued	with	metallurgical	test	work	to	better	understand	the	recovery	characteristics	of	the	various	ore	types	found	at	the	project.

At  the  Morococha  plant  relocation  project,  the  Company  invested  $26.2  million  in  2011  (partially  funded  by  $6.0  million  progress 
payment by Chinalco). The main focus of the work in 2011 included:

•	 Completed	construction	of	all	new	surface	buildings,	which	include	an	administration	building,	maintenance	shop,	warehouse,	

change house, kitchen, 300 person camp, laboratory, and compressor building. Connecting these new facilities to a power supply 
is scheduled to be completed in early 2012.

•	 Completed	new	main	water	supply	lines	and	new	compressed	air	line	to	the	mine	operations.

At the La Preciosa joint venture project, the Company spent $2.4 million in 2011, all of which was expensed. Work at La Preciosa during 
the year included:

•	 Completion	and	announcement	of	the	preliminary	economic	assessment.
•	 Commenced	a	scoping	study	(in	advance	of	performing	a	full	feasibility	study)	in	order	to	optimize	and	improve	the	project	

economics.

•	 Commenced	a	site	geotechnical	investigation	as	the	basis	for	the	design	of	the	tailings	storage	facility	and	the	site.
•	 Continued	with	infrastructure	improvements	in	local	communities	in	the	vicinity	of	the	project.

At the Calcatreu project, the Company spent $1.7 million in 2011, all of which was expensed. Work during the year included:

•	 Completion	of	nearly	3,000	meters	of	diamond	drilling,	mostly	as	confirmation	holes	and	collection	of	fresh	metallurgical	sample	
materials. Results on testing performed on these materials are still pending and the Company has not yet had an opportunity to 
confirm and update the resource estimates, which were prepared in April 2008 by Micon for Aquiline Resources Inc., the previous 
owners of the project.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

31

OVERVIEW Of 2011 fINANCIAL RESULTS
For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011,  the  Company’s  net  income  and  cash  flow  from  operations  increased  significantly  from  the 
comparable period in 2010. The improved results were primarily due to significantly higher realized metal prices, partially offset by lower 
quantities of all metals sold.  Significant volatility to attributable net income continued on account of income tax expense as well as the 
mark to market valuation of the Company’s warrant position, both discussed in more detail in the section that follows. 

The following table sets out selected quarterly (unaudited) results for the past twelve quarters, which are stated in thousands of USD, 
except for the per share amounts. 

2011

Revenue

Mine operating earnings1 

Attributable earnings for the period

Adjusted attributable earnings for the period3

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Cash flow from (used in) operating activities

Cash dividends paid

Other financial information:

Total assets

Total long-term financial liabilities

Total shareholders’ equity

2010

Revenue

Mine operating earnings1 

Attributable earnings for the period

Adjusted attributable earnings for the period3

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Cash flow from (used in) operating activities

Cash dividends paid

Other financial information:

Total assets

Total long-term financial liabilities

Total shareholders’ equity

QUARTERS ENDED (Unaudited)

YEARS ENDED

MARCH 31

JUNE 30

SEPT. 30

DEC. 31

DEC. 31

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

190,481

96,018

92,161

$

$

$

231,866

118,629

112,623

64,638  

$          76,093

0.86

0.604

59,465

0.025

$

$

$

$

1.04

1.04

104,127

0.025

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

220,567

106,208

52,354

    45,573

0.49

0.48

90,896

0.025

MARCH 31

JUNE 30

SEPT. 30

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

135,819

37,776

26,276

17,128

0.25

0.24

48,646

0.025

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

150,558

52,269

(6,262)

4,504

(0.06)

(0.04)

45,338

-

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

164,530

61,293

21

27,372

0.00

0.00

65,066

0.025

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

212,361

88,270

95,356

$

$

$

885,275

409,125

352,494

     64,362

$        250,666

0.89

0.89

104,967

0.025

DEC. 31

195,646

89,777

(6,324)

55,368

(0.06)

(0.07)

83,206

0.025

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

3.31

3.31

359,455

0.10

1,951,796

118,984

1,593,839

DEC. 31

646,553

241,115

13,711

104,372

0.13

0.13

242,256

0.075

1,738,796

228,054

1,341,358

1 Mine operating earnings are equal to revenue less cost of sales and depreciation and amortization, which is considered to be substantially the same as gross margin.

3 Adjusted earnings for the period is an alternative performance measure. Please refer to the section, Alternative Performance Measures, of this MD&A for a calculation 

of adjusted earnings for the period.

4 The diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2011 has been revised to $0.60 per share from the amount previously presented of $0.86 per share, 

to properly reflect the effect under IFRS of the dilutive share purchase warrants which are classified as a liability.

32

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

20092

Revenue

Mine operating earnings1 

Attributable earnings for the period

Adjusted attributable earnings for the period3

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Cash flow from (used in) operating activities

Cash dividends paid

Other financial information:

Total assets

Total long-term financial liabilities

Total shareholders’ equity

QUARTERS ENDED (Unaudited)

YEARS ENDED

MARCH 31

JUNE 30

SEPT. 30

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

70,406

10,474

6,610

N/A

0.08

0.08

(5,375)

-

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

111,392

23,490

10,208

N/A

0.12

0.12

32,034

-

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

118,608

34,708

17,375

N/A

0.20

0.20

37,099

-

DEC. 31

154,406

57,334

27,805

N/A

0.31

0.31

52,118

-

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

DEC. 31

454,812

126,006

61,998

N/A

0.71

0.71

115,876

-

1,848,609

83,563

1,343,790

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1 Mine operating earnings are equal to revenue less cost of sales and depreciation and amortization, which is considered to be substantially the same as gross margin.
2 Information for 2009 is presented in accordance with Canadian GAAP and was not required to be restated to IFRS.  As such, adjusted earnings are not applicable to 

these figures.

3 Adjusted earnings for the period is an alternative performance measure. Please refer to the section, Alternative Performance Measures, of this MD&A for a calcula-

tion of adjusted earnings for the period.

The following table reflects the metal prices that the Company realized and the quantities of metal sold during each respective period. 
As seen below, there was an increase in the realized metal prices but a decrease in quantities of all metals sold in 2011 compared to 
2010.

REALIZED METAL  PRICES 
Year ended December 31,

QUANTITIES OF METAL SOLD 
Year ended December 31, 

 2011

35.031

1,5681

2,2082

2,4022

8,6252

$

$

$

$

$

 2010

19.871

1,2161

2,1602

2,1472

7,4572

$

$

$

$

$

 2011

19,516,483

75,904

30,157

11,885

3,991

$

$

$

$

$

2010

22,914,073

88,604

37,831

13,466

4,973

$

$

$

$

$

Silver - in ounces

Gold - in ounces

Zinc - in tonnes

Lead - in tonnes

Copper - in tonnes

1 Metal price per ounce.
2 Metal price stated as cash settlement per tonne.

INCOME STATEMENT

Earnings for 2011 were $354.1 million, compared to earnings of $15.7 million in 2010. Basic earnings per share for 2011 were $3.31 
compared to $0.13 in 2010.  Adjusting for the benefit of a $101.8 million gain on derivatives in 2011 and a loss on derivatives of $90.7 
in 2010, adjusted earnings were $252.3 million for 2011 compared to $106.4 million in 2010 (please refer to the section, “Alternative 
Performance Measures”, of this MD&A for description of adjusted earnings).  Adjusted basic earnings per share for 2011 were $2.37 
compared to $0.99 for the corresponding period in 2010. Adjusted earnings benefited from significant increases in the realized metal 
prices received, partially offset by declines in overall quantities of most metal sold, as reflected in the tables above. When compared 
to 2010, the quantities of silver, gold, zinc, lead ,and copper sold declined by 15%, 14%, 20%, 12% and 20%, respectively, due to lower 
production levels and timing of doré shipments.  Cost of sales, which includes production costs, depreciation and amortization, and 
royalty expense, in 2011 were higher than in 2010 due to operating costs escalation discussed in the section “Operating Performance”.  
Adjusted earnings in 2011 were reduced by $27.7 million in exploration expenses primarily incurred on drilling and prefeasibility work 
at the Navidad and La Preciosa projects and the Company’s greenfield exploration program, but positively impacted by other income 
of $15.7 million comprised primarily of insurance recoveries related to the theft of doré, receipt of payments from MCP towards the 
Morococha relocation project,  receipt of a non-refundable deposit upon the initiation of the sale of the Pico Machay project and the 
reversal of certain severance provisions based on changes to mine plans. This was offset by a foreign exchange loss of $8.1 million 
primarily on cash and short term investments held in Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos (“CAD” and “MXN”, respectively).  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

33

Revenue for 2011 was $855.3 million, a $208.7 million or 32% increase from revenue for 2010. This increase was driven by higher metal 
prices realized, offset by lower quantities of all metals sold, as described above.       

Mine operating earnings increased to $409.1 million in 2011, a significant increase of 70% from the $241.1 million generated in 2010.  
This increase resulted from an increase in revenue outweighing the higher cost of sales. Mine operating earnings are equal to revenue 
less cost of sales, which is considered to be substantially the same as gross margin. 

Income taxes for 2011 were $117.1 million, a $26.9 million increase from the $90.2 million income tax provision recorded in 2010 and are 
comprised of current and deferred income taxes as follows:

Current taxes

Current tax expense in respect of the current year

Adjustments recognized in the current year with respect to prior years

Deferred taxes

Deferred tax expense recognized in the current year

Adjustments recognized in the current year with  respect to prior years

2011

110,620

(1,273)

109,347

4,133

3,638

7,771

2010

73,786

(28)

73,758

16,457

-

16,457

Provision for income taxes

$

117,118

$

90,215

This increase was primarily a consequence of increased taxable earnings generated at our operations as well as the effects of various 
temporary and permanent differences as shown in the table below, which result in effective tax rates that vary considerably from the 
comparable period and from the amount that would result from applying the Canadian statutory income tax rates to earnings before 
income taxes. The main factors which have affected the effective tax rates for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the comparable 
period of 2010 were the unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s warrants position, foreign income tax rate differentials, additional 
mining taxes paid and withholding taxes paid on income and payments from subsidiaries to parent companies, exploration expenses 
on properties for which the deductibility of the expenses is not assured,  and foreign exchange gains and losses. The Company expects 
that these and other factors will continue to cause volatility in effective tax rates in the future.

Income before taxes 

Statutory tax rate

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

471,264

26.50%

2010

105,922

28.50%

Income tax expense based on above rates

$

124,885

$

30,188

Increase (decrease) due to:

Non-deductible expenses

(Increase) decrease to estimated deductible expenses

Change in net deferred assets not recognized

Non-taxable unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives - warrants

Foreign tax rate differences1

Effect of other taxes paid (mining and withholding)

Change in net deferred assets not recognized for exploration expenses

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

Other

Effective tax rate

2,028

(12,986)

286

(26,984)

14,642

9,914

6,207

2,277

(3,151)

1,731

5,099

1,543

25,416

3,179

10,008

6,214

3,866

2,971

$

117,118

$

90,215

24.85%

85.17%

1 The 2011 statutory income tax rates in the countries that the Company has operations in are as follows: Argentina – 35%, Bolivia – 25%, Mexico – 30%, Peru – 30%.

34

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
STATEMENT Of CASH fLOWS  

Cash flow from operations, generated a record $359.5 million 
in 2011, a 48% increase from the $217.2 million generated a year 
ago. The  increase  in  cash  flow  from  operations  resulted  from 
improved operating earnings as discussed previously. Changes 
in non-cash working capital consumed $39.4 million compared 
with  a  non-cash  working  capital  use  of  $12.6  million  in  2010.  
The net non-cash working capital consumed in 2011 consisted 
primarily of a $28.4 million increase in inventories which was 
primarily  attributable  to  the  timing  of  doré  and  concentrate 
shipments, an increase of $2.8 million in prepaid expenses and 
an increase of accounts receivable of $8.6 million. In 2010, non-
cash working capital was primarily affected by similar increases 
in doré inventory, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses, 
partially  offset  by  decreases  in  accounts  payable  due  to  cash 
payments received for the Morococha relocation project. 

Investing  activities  used  $177.3  million  in  2011,  inclusive  of 
$51.1 million invested in short-term investments. The balance of 
investing activities consisted primarily of spending $39.1 million 
on  the  Navidad  project  including  $17.0  million  of  processing 
equipment  intended  for  the  Navidad  project  and  sustaining 
investments  in  property,  plant  and  equipment  at  Manantial 
Espejo,  Morococha,  La  Colorada,  Huaron, Alamo  Dorado  and 
San Vicente of $16.9 million, $17.3 million, $13.3 million, $13.0 
million, $8.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively. In addition, 
$26.2  million  was  spent  on  the  Morococha  relocation  project 
net  of  $21.9  million  received  as  equipment  and  construction 
advances  and  lease  proceeds. The  $6.0  million  received  from 
MCP  as  part  of  the  relocation  project  was  recognized  as 
Other  Income  as  per  the  required  IFRS  accounting  for  these 
contributions  (as  described  in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements).  Finally,  $3.9  million  of  refundable VAT 
tax was paid in Argentina and Bolivia.

Investing  activities  used  $160.8  million  in  2010,  inclusive  of 
$80.2 million invested in short- term investments. The balance 
of  investing  activities  consisted  primarily  of  spending  $28.0 
million  on  the  Navidad  project  and  sustaining  investments 
in  property,  plant  and  equipment  primarily  at  Morococha,  La 
Colorada,  Manantial  Espejo,  Huaron,  San Vicente  and  Alamo 
Dorado of $11.3 million, $9.1 million, $7.0 million, $6.6 million, 
$6.0  million  and  $2.1  million,  respectively.  In  addition,  $5.4 
million  was  spent  on  the  Morococha  relocation  project  and 
$5.0  million  was  paid  as  refundable VAT  tax  in Argentina  and 
Bolivia.

Financing  activities  in  2011  used  $99.4  million,  whereas 
financing  activities  in  2010  used  $2.8  million.  Cash  used  in 
financing  activities  in  2011  was  a  result  of  $94.0  million  used 
for the share buy-back program and $10.7 million in dividend 
payments to our shareholders which was offset by $4.5 million 
in  proceeds  from  the  exercising  of  warrants  and  options  and 
$1.5 million of net contributions received from non-controlling 
interests.

In  2010,  the  $2.8  million  in  cash  used  in  financing  activities 
consisted  primarily  of  $11.9  million  proceeds  from  the 
exercising  of  warrants  and  options  which  was  offset  by  $8.0 
million  in  dividend  payments  to  our  shareholders  and  $5.6 
million of repayments on concentrate advances.

INCOME STATEMENT Q4 2011

The following table reflects the metal prices that the Company 
realized and the quantities of metal sold during each respective 
period. As  seen  below,  there  was  an  increase  in  the  realized 
metal prices but a decrease in quantities of all metals sold in 
2011 compared to 2010, other than gold. 

REALIZED METAL  PRICES 
Year ended December 31,

QUANTITIES OF METAL SOLD 
Year ended December 31, 

 2011

32.491

1,6831

1,9642

1,9802

7,1002

$

$

$

$

$

 2010

25.611

1,3761

2,3262

2,5202

8,7582

$

$

$

$

$

 2011

5,369,259

19,296

8,410

2,877

1,038

$

$

$

$

$

2010

5,608,042

20,771

10,184

3,186

1,202

$

$

$

$

$

Silver - in ounces

Gold - in ounces

Zinc - in tonnes

Lead - in tonnes

Copper - in tonnes

1 Metal price per ounce.
2 Metal price stated as cash settlement per tonne.

Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2011 (Q4 2011) were $95.5 million or $0.89 per share compared to a loss of $5.8 million or $0.06 
per share for the comparable period in 2010. Adjusting for the benefit of a $31.0 million gain on derivatives, adjusted earnings were 
$64.5 million for Q4 2011 compared to $55.9 million in Q4 2010 (please refer to the section, “Alternative Performance Measures”, of 
this MD&A for description of adjusted earnings). Adjusted basic earnings per share for Q4 2011 were $0.61 compared to $0.52 for 
the corresponding period in 2010. Adjusted earnings benefited from increases in the realized metal prices received, partially offset 
by declines in overall quantities of metal sold. When compared to Q4 2010, the quantities of silver, zinc, copper, lead, and gold sold 
declined by 4%, 17%, 14%, 10% and 7%, respectively, due to lower production levels and timing of doré shipments.  Cost of sales in 
Q4 2011 were higher than the comparable period of 2010 due to operating costs escalation in line with cost pressures described for 
the year 2001 in the section “ Operating Performance”. Adjusted earnings in Q4 2011 were positively impacted by foreign exchange 
gains of $2.4 million primarily on cash and short term investments held in CAD and other income of $10.1 million comprised of the 
receipt of payments from Chinalco and reversal of certain provisions as described above. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

35

 
2010, financing activities generated $4.8 million and consisted 
primarily  of  $8.7  million  from  the  exercising  of  warrants  and 
options partially offset by $2.7 million in dividend payments to 
our shareholders.  

LIQUIDITY POSITION

The Company’s cash balance at December 31, 2011 was $262.9 
million, which was an increase of $83.0 million from the balance 
at December 31, 2010.  The balance of the Company’s short-term 
investments at December 31, 2011 was $228.3 million, an increase 
of $47.7 million from a year ago.  This increase in liquidity in 2011 
resulted  primarily  from  cash  generated  by  operating  activities 
partially  offset  by  capital  expenditures  on  property,  plant  and 
equipment, the cash utilized for the share buy-back program and 
the  payment  of  dividends  to  our  shareholders.   The  Company 
does  not  own  any  asset-backed  commercial  paper  or  other 
similar, known, at-risk investments in its investment portfolio. 

Working  capital  at  December  31,  2011  was  $566.4  million,  an 
increase  of  $136.5  million  from  the  prior  year-end’s  working 
capital  of  $429.9  million. The  increase  in  working  capital  was 
mainly due to the $130.7 million increase in cash and short-term 
investments  described  above  plus  an  increase  in  refundable 
taxes of $32.0 million, accounts receivable of $36.5 million and 
inventory  of  $28.8  million. These  were  partially  offset  by  an 
increase in the current income tax liability of $44.7 million and 
an  increase  in  finance  leases  of  $20.7  million. The  increase  in 
short term refundable tax is reflective of the Company’s success 
in  collecting  value  added  taxes  in  the  countries  it  operates  in 
allowing  balances  that  were  carried  as  long  term  refundable 
tax to be reclassified to short term. The increase in inventory is 
mainly attributable to an increase in both silver doré inventory 
and  concentrates  inventory  due  to  the  timing  of  shipments 
which  also  impacts  the  accounts  receivable  while  the  increase 
in income tax liability is primarily a result of the higher current 
taxable income generated in 2011.  

The  Company’s  financial  position  at  December  31,  2011,  the 
undrawn  $150  million  credit  facility,  and  the  operating  cash 
flows  that  are  expected  over  the  next  twelve  months,  lead 
management  to  believe  that  the  Company’s  liquid  assets 
are  sufficient  to  fund  currently  planned  capital  expenditures 
for  existing  operations,  to  complete  the  proposed  merger 
with  Minefinders  including  funding  of  the  cash  portion  of  the 
acquisition  as  well  as  all  operating  and  capital  expenditures 
that will arise, and to discharge liabilities as they come due.  The 
Company remains well positioned to take advantage of further 
strategic  opportunities  as  they  become  available.  Please  refer 
to  the  “2012  Operating  Outlook”  section  of  this  MD&A  for  a 
more detailed description of the sustaining capital expenditures 
planned for each mine in 2012.  

The  impact  of  inflation  on  the  Company’s  financial  position, 
operational  performance,  or  cash  flows  over  the  next  twelve 
months cannot be determined with any degree of certainty.

Earnings  for  Q4  2010  were  impacted  by  higher  general  and 
administration costs due to the timing of the Company’s annual 
incentive  plan  and  severance  payments  and  a  non-cash  $1.5 
million  write-down  of  pyrite  stockpile  inventories  that  were 
being sold to the La Oroya smelter which had closed, offset by 
$3.2 million in foreign exchange gains and an insurance claim 
related to theft of doré at La Colorada for $1.7 million reported 
in Other Income.  

Revenue for Q4 2011 was $212.4 million, a $16.7 million or 9% 
increase from revenue in the comparable period in 2010. This 
increase was driven by higher metal prices realized, offset by 
lower quantities of all metals sold, as described above.  

Mine  operating  earnings  decreased  slightly  to  $88.3  million 
in  Q4  2011  from  $89.8  million  in  the  same  quarter  last  year.  
Despite  increased  revenue,  this  decrease  was  attributable 
primarily to the increase in cost of sales for reasons described 
above as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization 
of  $3.0  million  from  $20.5  million  to  $23.5  million  which  is 
included as part of the cost of sales. Cost of sales for Q4 2011 
of $124.1 million was an increase of 17% from $105.9 million in 
the comparable period last year.    

Income tax provision during Q4 2011 amounted to $21.3 million 
compared to $30.6 million in Q4 2010. As described above for 
the full year 2011, the main factors which impacted the effective 
tax rates for Q4 2011 and the comparable period of 2010 were 
the  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  the  Company’s  warrants 
position,  foreign  income  tax  rate  differentials  and  foreign 
exchange gains and losses.

STATEMENT Of CASH fLOWS: Q4 2011

Cash  flow  from  operations,  generated  $105.0  million  in  Q4 
2011, up from the $83.2 million generated a year ago. Although 
earnings from operations were similar in Q4 2011 to those of Q4 
2010  at  $86.7  million  and  $87.6  million,  respectively,  changes 
in non-cash working capital generated $8.4 million compared 
with non-cash working capital consuming $15.6 million in Q4 
2010. The  net  non-cash  working  capital  generated  in  Q4  2011 
consisted  primarily  of  a  decrease  in  accounts  receivable  of 
$19.9  million,  which  were  offset  by  a  decrease  in  accounts 
payable and accrued liabilities of $9.4 million. In Q4 2010, the 
net consumption of $15.6 million was an aggregate of various 
timing differences in the normal course operations.    

Cash  flow  from  investing  activities  used  $74.5  million  in  Q4 
2011.  This consisted primarily of $36.6 million in purchases of 
short term investments, $5.3 million spending on the Navidad 
project and an aggregate $36.6 million primarily in sustaining 
capital investments at the operating mines.

Investing  activities  in  Q4  of  2010  used  $63.6  million,  which 
consisted  primarily  of  $41.6  million  in  the  purchase  of  short 
term  investments,  $5.7  million  spending  on  the  Navidad 
project and an aggregate $18.6 million in primarily sustaining 
capital  investments  at  Morococha,  La  Colorada,  San  Vicente 
and Manantial Espejo.  

Financing activities in Q4 2011 used $68.0 million and consisted 
primarily of $66.1 million used in the share buy-back program, 
$3.2  million  in  dividend  payments  to  our  shareholders  but 
offset  by  $1.0  million  from  the  exercise  of  warrants.  In  Q4  of 

36

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

INVESTMENTS AND 
INVESTMENT INCOME
At the end of 2011, cash plus short-term investments were $491.2 
million,  a  $130.7  million  increase  from  December  31,  2010,  as 
described  in  the  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources”  section 
above.

Pan American’s investment objectives for its cash balances are 
to preserve capital, to provide liquidity and to maximize return. 
The Company’s strategy to achieve these objectives is to invest 
excess  cash  balances  in  a  portfolio  of  primarily  fixed  income 
instruments  with  specified  credit  rating  targets  established  by 
the  Board  of  Directors,  and  by  diversifying  the  currencies  in 
which it maintains its cash balances.

Investment  income  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011 
totalled  $3.1  million  (2010  -  $1.0  million)  and  consisted  mainly 
of interest income and net gains from the sales of the securities 
within the Company’s short-term investment portfolio. 

CAPITAL RESOURCES
Shareholders’  equity  at  December  31,  2011  was  $1,593.8 
million,  an  increase  of  $252.5  million  from  $1,341.4  million 
at  December  31,  2010,  primarily  as  a  result  of  the  attributable 
earnings  generated  during  the  year  and  warrants  and  options 
exercised in the year offset by the share buy-back program and 
dividends  paid  as  described  above.  As  at  December  31,  2011, 
the Company had approximately 104.5 million common shares 
outstanding  for  a  share  capital  of  $1,243.2  million. The  basic 
weighted average number of common shares outstanding was 
106.4 million shares for the year and 106.6 million shares for the 
quarter ended December 31, 2011.  

On August  26,  2011  the  Company  announced  that  the Toronto 
Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) accepted the Company’s notice of 
its intention to make a normal course issuer bid to purchase up 
to 5,395,540 of its common shares, representing up to 5% of Pan 
American’s issued and outstanding shares as of August 24, 2011.  
Purchases pursuant to the share buy-back program are required 
to  be  made  on  the  open  market  through  the  facilities  of  the 
TSX  and  the  Nasdaq  Global  Select  Market  (“NASDAQ”)  at  the 
market price at the time of acquisition of any common shares in 
accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX and NASDAQ 
and applicable securities laws. The period of the share buy-back 
program  began  on  September  1,  2011  and  will  continue  until 
August 31, 2012 or an earlier date should the Company complete 
its  purchases.  Pan  American  had  not  acquired  any  of  its  own 
common  shares  within  the  12  month  period  prior  to  initiating 
the  share  buy-back  program  and  is  not  obligated  to  make  any 
purchases. All common shares acquired by the Company under 
the share buy-back program will be cancelled and purchases will 
be funded out of Pan American’s working capital.  

As  of  the  date  of  this  MD&A,  the  Company  had  purchased 
3,582,200 shares since the start of the share buy-back program 
and had 104,497,168 common shares outstanding.

Pan  American  initiated  the  share  buy-back  program  because, 
in  the  opinion  of  its  board  of  directors,  the  market  price  of 
its  common  shares,  from  time  to  time,  may  not  fully  reflect 

the  underlying  value  of  its  mining  operations,  properties  and 
future  growth  prospects. The  Company  believes  that  in  such 
circumstances,  the  outstanding  common  shares  represent  an 
appealing  investment  for  Pan American  since  a  portion  of  the 
Company’s  excess  cash  generated  on  an  annual  basis  can  be 
invested for an attractive risk adjusted return on capital through 
the share buy-back program.

A copy of the Company’s notice of its intention to make a normal 
course  issuer  bid  filed  with  the TSX  can  be  obtained  from  the 
Corporate Secretary of Pan American without charge. 

The following table sets out the common shares, warrants and 
options outstanding as at December 31, 2011:

OUTSTANDING AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2011 (in thousands)

Common shares

Warrants

Options

TOTAL

104,492,743

7,814,984

1,243,312

113,551,039

The  warrants,  all  of  which  were  issued  as  part  of  the Aquiline 
acquisition in December of 2009, expire in December 2014, and 
have an exercise price of CAD $35.00.

As  at  December  31,  2011,  the  Company  had  approximately  1.2 
million  stock  options  outstanding,  with  exercise  prices  in  the 
range of CAD $17.73 and $40.22 and a weighted average life of 
35 months. Approximately 0.5 million of the stock options were 
vested  and  exercisable  at  the  2011  year  end  with  an  average 
weighted exercise price of $27.38 per share. 

fINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
From  time  to  time,  Pan  American  mitigates  the  price  risk 
associated  with  its  base  metal  production  by  committing 
some  of  its  forecasted  production  under  forward  sales  or 
option  contracts.  At  December  31,  2011,  the  Company  had 
no  outstanding  base  metal  positions.  As  of  the  date  of  this 
MD&A,  the  Company  entered  into  lead  option  contracts 
for  4,000  tonnes,  which  have  the  effect  of  ensuring  a  price 
between $2,000 and $2,620 per tonne on that quantity of lead, 
settling monthly during 2012. At the date of this MD&A, these 
positions had an insignificant mark-to-market valuation effect 
due  to  the  market  price  of  this  commodity  having  remained 
relatively stable since the time at which the Company entered 
into the contracts.

The Company recorded a gain on settled commodity contracts 
of $0.7 million in 2011, compared to a loss of $0.2 million in 
2010.

Approximately  50%  of  the  Company’s  operating  and  capital 
expenditures are denominated in local currencies other than 
the  USD. These  expenditures  are  exposed  to  fluctuations  in 
USD exchange rates relative to the local currencies. From time 
to time, the Company mitigates part of this currency exposure 
by accumulating local currencies or by entering into contracts 
designed  to  fix  or  limit  the  Company’s  exposure  to  changes 
in the value of local currencies relative to USD. At December 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

37

is  $55.8  million  (2010  -  $71.6  million).  Decommissioning 
obligations  at  the  Quiruvilca  mine  of  $18.1  million  are 
expected to be incurred starting in two to five years while the 
remainder of the obligations are expected to be paid through 
2028.  Revisions  made  to  the  reclamation  obligations  in  2011 
were primarily a result of increased site disturbance from the 
ordinary course of operations at the mines as well as revisions 
to the estimates based on periodic reviews of closure plans, 
actual expenditures incurred and concurrent closure activities 
completed. These  obligations  will  be  funded  from  operating 
cash flows, reclamation deposits and cash on hand.

The  unwinding  of  the  discount  charged  to  2011  earnings  as 
finance expense was $3.3 million compared to $3.7 million in 
2010.  Reclamation expenditures during the current year were 
up slightly from the previous year at $2.0 million (2010 - $1.0 
million).

CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS AND 
CONTINGENCIES
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements 
or  commitments  that  have  a  current  or  future  effect  on  its 
financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or 
expenses, results of  operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or 
capital resources, that are material, other than those disclosed in 
this MD&A and the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements 
and the related notes.

31, 2011 and at the date of this MD&A, the Company had no 
outstanding foreign currency contracts but did hold cash and 
short  term  investments  of  $205.5  million  in  CAD  and  $38.3 
million in Mexican pesos.

The  carrying  value  of  share  purchase  warrants  is  at  fair 
value,  while  cash,  accounts  receivable,  accounts  payable 
and  accrued  liabilities  approximate  their  fair  value  due  to 
the  relatively  short  periods  to  maturity  of  these  financial 
instruments.  Under  IFRS,  our  share  purchase  warrants  are 
classified  and  accounted  for  as  financial  liabilities  and, 
as  such,  are  measured  at  their  fair  values  with  changes  in 
fair  values  reported  in  the  income  statement  as  gain/loss 
on  derivatives.  The  Company  used  as  its  assumptions  for 
calculating fair value of the 7,814,984 warrants outstanding at 
December  31,  2011  a  risk  free  interest  rate  of  1%,  expected 
stock price volatility of 41%, expected life of 2.9 years (expiry 
in December 2014), expected dividend yield of 0.5%, a quoted 
market  price  of  the  Company’s  shares  on  the Toronto  Stock 
Exchange  of  $22.28,  an  exchange  rate  of  1  CAD  to  USD  of 
0.9771  and  an  exercise  price  of  CAD  $35.00  per  share.   The 
changes  in  the  valuation  of  these  share  purchase  warrants 
create a permanent difference for tax purposes and may result 
in significant volatility of our effective tax rate.  The Company 
recorded  a  gain  on  the  revaluation  of  the  warrants  of  $101.8 
million in 2011, compared to a loss of $90.7 million in 2010.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based 
on  relevant  market  information  and  information  about  the 
financial instrument.  These estimates are subjective in nature 
and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment 
and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.  Changes 
in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

The  Company  does  not  have  any  off-balance  sheet 
arrangements  or  commitments  that  are  expected  to  have  a 
current or future effect on its financial condition or results of 
operations, other than those disclosed in this MD&A and the 
consolidated financial statements and the related notes.    

CLOSURE AND DECOMMISSIONING 
COST PROVISION
The estimated future closure and decommissioning costs are 
based principally on the requirements of relevant authorities 
and  the  Company’s  environmental  policies. The  provision  is 
measured  using  management’s  assumptions  and  estimates 
for cash outflows.  The Company accrues these costs initially 
at  their  fair  value,  which  are  determined  by  discounting 
costs using rates specific to the underlying obligation. Upon 
recognition of a liability for the closure and decommissioning 
costs,  the  Company  capitalizes  these  costs  to  the  related 
mine and amortizes it over the life of each mine on a unit-of-
production basis except in the case of exploration projects for 
which the offset to the liability is expensed.  The unwinding of 
the  discount  due  to  the  passage  of  time  is  recognized  as  an 
increase in the liability and a finance expense.

The  total  undiscounted  amount  of  estimated  cash  flows 
required to settle the Company’s asset retirement obligations is 
$65.9 million (2010 - $73.2 million) which has been discounted 
using discount rates between 4% and 10%. The provision on 
the  statement  of  financial  position  as  at  December  31,  2011 

38

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

The Company had the following contractual obligations at the end of 2011:

PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD (in thousands of USD)

Finance lease obligations1 

Current liabilities2

Long term income taxes payable

Severance accrual

Contribution plan3

TOTAL

$

31,983

149,785

2,274

5,427

3,478

LESS THAN
A YEAR

21,068

149,785

-

3,032

3,478

1 – 3 
YEARS

10,915

-

-

-

-

Total contractual obligations4

$

192,947

177,363

10,915

4 – 5 
YEARS

AFTER 
5 YEARS

-

-

2,274

2,395

-

4,669

-

-

-

-

-

-

1 Includes lease obligations in the amount of $10.1 million (2010 - $0.12 million) with a net present value of $9.8 million (2010 - $0.12 million) and equipment and construc-

tion advances in the amount of $21.9 million (2010 - $5.4 million); both discussed further in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

2 Includes all current liabilities as per the statement of financial position less items presented separately in this table which also include amounts expected to be paid 

but not accrued in the books of the Company.

3 In June 2008 the Company initiated a 4 year contractual retention plan for key officers and management. Contract commitments for the plan, payable in CAD, represent 

minimum payments expected to be paid out, which are presented above in USD at the period-end rate.

4 Amounts above do not include payments related to the Company’s anticipated closure and decommissioning obligation, the liability arising from Aquiline acquisition, 

and deferred tax liabilities.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
General and administrative costs, including stock based compensation, increased by 7% in 2011 to $18.3 million (2010: $17.1 million).  
This increase was primarily as a result of the addition of several new positions in 2011; various expenses related to increased business 
development activity, including increased use of consultants and travel; but partially offset by a weaker CAD exchange rate against the 
USD (CAD to USD exchange of 1.01 average in 2011 versus 1.03 average in 2010). 

Our 2012 general and administrative costs, including stock based compensation, are expected to remain similar to our 2011 level at 
approximately $18.0 million. This figure is subject to fluctuations in the CAD to USD exchange rate as well as the Company’s ability to 
allocate certain head office costs that are directly attributable to the operations to the operating subsidiaries.

The following table compares our general and administrative forecast for 2012 against the general and administrative costs incurred 
over the previous two years, on a per ounce of silver produced basis.

General and administrative costs2 (in ‘000 of USD)

Silver production (in ‘000s of ounces)

General and administrative costs per silver ounce produced

ACTUAL

FORECAST1

2010

17,109

24,286

0.70

$

$

2011

18,291

21,854

0.84

$

$

2012

$

18,000

22,000

$

0.82

1 Forecast silver production at the mid-point of the guidance given in this MD&A on page 18 from the Company’s existing operations.
2 Related party transactions: During the year ended December 31, 2011, a private company controlled by a director of the Company was paid approximately $0.4 mil-
lion (2010 - $0.4 million) for consulting services, charged to general and administrative costs. Similarly, at December 31, 2011 an accrual was recorded for consulting 
services for the same company in the amount of $0.01 million (2010 - $0.01 million). These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the 
exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the parties.

ExPLORATION AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Exploration and project development expenses in 2011 were $27.7 million compared to $24.5 million incurred in 2010. Similar to 2010, 
the expenses recorded in 2011 primarily represented the exploration and project development expenses incurred for the advancement 
of the Navidad project, and to a lesser degree the La Preciosa and Calcatreu projects in addition to exploration done in the vicinity of 
our existing mines.

Please refer to “2011 Project Development Update” for more details of work performed during 2011 on these projects.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

39

 
The 2011 brownfields program was successful at replacing 118% of the 2011 silver ounces mined by adding 29.3 million ounces to the 
mineral reserve. A total of 150,247 meters of diamond drilling was completed at the operating mines, and an additional 37,095 meters 
were drilled at the Navidad project.   

The Company’s brownfields exploration program will continue to be very active in 2012 with approximately 116,000 meters of drilling 
planned. The  cost  of  these  programs  is  included  as  part  of  each  mine’s  capital  budget  or  included  in  its  operating  costs. The  total 
amount expected to be spent on brownfield drilling in 2012 is approximately $15.5 million. The main objective of this program is to 
replace mineral reserves and resources mined at our sites. The main targets for these mineral resource and reserve replacements are 
the Candelaria sulphide zone and testing the sulphide deep extension at La Colorada, Litoral, Guernica and Union veins at San Vicente, 
the Maria, Gaby, Karina and Melissa veins at Manantial Espejo and multiple vein structures at Morococha and Huaron.

ALTERNATIVE PERfORMANCE MEASURES 
CASH AND TOTAL COSTS PER OUNCE Of SILVER  

The alternative performance measures of cash and total cost per ounce of silver are used by the Company to manage and evaluate 
operating  performance  at  each  of  the  Company’s  mines  and  are  widely  reported  in  the  silver  mining  industry  as  benchmarks  for 
performance,  but  do  not  have  standardized  meaning. To  facilitate  a  better  understanding  of  these  measures  as  calculated  by  the 
Company, provided in the following table is the detailed reconciliation of these measures to the cost of sales, as reported in the audited 
Consolidated Income Statements for 2011, 2010 and 2009.

CASH AND TOTAL COST PER OUNCE RECONCILIATION  
(in thousands of USD)

Cost of Revenue1

Add / (Subtract)

Depreciation and amortization

Smelting, refining, & transportation charges

By-product credits

Mining royalties

Worker’s participation and voluntary payments

Change in inventories

Other

Non-controlling interest adjustment

Cash Operating Costs

Add / (Subtract)

Depreciation & amortization

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

Change in inventories

Other

Non-controlling interest adjustment

Total Costs

Payable Silver Production (000’s ounces)

Cash Costs per ounce

Total Costs per ounce

2011

2010

2009

$

446,150

$

405,438

$

245,637

(82,756)

64,132

(83,084)

66,441

-

64,118

(255,820)

(253,925)

(215,657)

-

(5,632)

30,103

3,765

(4,099)

-

(6,230)

10,620

(5,092)

(2,114)

11,867

(1,151)

15,068

3,368

(2,144)

A

195,843

132,054

121,106

82,756

3,268

659

(817)

(1,334)

280,375

20,753

9.44

13.51

$

$

$

83,084

2,929

4,611

(755)

(1,108)

220,815

23,224

5.69

9.51

$

$

$

83,169

2,998

3,388

(271)

(867)

209,523

21,888

5.53

9.57

B

C

A/C

B/C

$

$

$

1 The years 2011 and 2010 are presented under IFRS while 2009 is presented under Canadian GAAP. As such, Cost of Revenue includes production costs, depreciation 

and amortization, and royalty expense for these two years.

40

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

MINE OPERATING EARNINGS  

The  alternative  performance  measure  of  mine  operating 
earnings is a non-GAAP measure used by the Company to assess 
the performance of its silver mining operations.  Mine operating 
earnings  is  calculated  as  revenue  less  production  costs, 
depreciation and amortization and royalties. The Company and 
certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s 
performance.

ADJUSTED EARNINGS 

Adjusted  earnings  is  a  non-GAAP  measure  calculated  as  net 
earnings for the period adjusting for the gain or loss recorded 
on fair market value adjustments on the Company’s outstanding 
warrants. The Company considers this measure to better reflect 
normalized earnings as it does not include unrealized gains or 
losses  from  outstanding  warrants,  which  may  be  volatile  from 
period to period.

GOVERNANCE AND CORPORATE SOCIAL 
RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENT
Pan  American  adheres  to  the  highest  standards  of  corporate 
governance  and  closely  follows  the  requirements  established 
by  both  the  Canadian  Securities  Administrators  and  the  SEC 
(Securities and Exchange Commission) in the United States. We 
believe that our current corporate governance systems not only 
meet but exceed these requirements.

Our Board of Directors oversees the direction and strategy of the 
business and the affairs of the Company. The Board is comprised 
of a non-executive chairman and seven other directors, five of 
whom are independent and are represented by a lead director. 
The Board’s wealth of experience allows it to effectively oversee 
the development of corporate strategies, provide management 
with long-term direction, consider and approve major decisions, 
oversee 
the  business  generally  and  evaluate  corporate 
performance. The  Health,  Safety  and  Environment  Committee, 
which  is  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Directors, 
provides  oversight  for  the  corporate  social  initiatives  of  the 
Company and reports directly to the Board.

We believe that good corporate governance is important to the 
effective  performance  of  the  Company  and  plays  a  significant 
role in protecting the interests of all stakeholders while helping 
to maximize value.

OUR COMMUNITIES

We are committed to creating sustainable value in the communities 
where  our  people  work  and  live.  Guided  by  research  and 
conducted by our local offices, we participate in, and contribute 
to  numerous  community  programs.  They  typically  center  on 
education  and  health,  the  environment,  local  infrastructure  and 
alternative  economic  activities.  In  every  community  we  place 
a  priority  on  assisting  with  livestock  breeding.  Most  of  the 
communities depend on livestock for their essentials, as the basic 
food supply and for raw materials used in textiles and clothing. 
Some of our core activities are:

•	 Strengthening	the	production	chain	of	livestock	breeding,	
world class alpaca textiles and contemporary designed 
silver jewelry. 
Improving	nutrition,	focusing	on	children	and	pregnant	
women.

•	

•	 Promoting	community	health	with	emphasis	on	
immunizations and focusing on oral health.

•	 Promoting	tourism	and	local	areas	of	interest	such	as	the	

Stone Forest in Huayllay in Peru.

•	 Encouraging	education	for	children	and	adults	by	

contributing to teacher’s salaries, and providing continuous 
support through different scholarships at a local and 
national level.

NON-MINED WASTE

Typical site non-mined waste products at Pan American’s mines 
include oils, scrap, steel, tires and construction waste, in addition 
to office, cafeteria and camp waste. In all, our operations generate 
approximately 5,000 metric tons of this waste every year. We are 
striving for significant reductions through the implementation of 
waste-reduction initiatives, alternate practices, innovative waste-
reduction  technologies,  and  we  have  engaged  local  companies 
to help with recycling, re-use and reclamation projects, in order 
to  further  reduce  our  waste  load  and  improve  the  revenue  and 
awareness for the local communities.

At  Manantial  Espejo,  Alamo  Dorado  and  La  Colorada,  cyanide 
is  used  for  leaching  silver  from  the  mined  ore. To  ensure  safe 
handling and disposal, mine employees receive rigorous training. 

WATER

Water is a finite resource and essential to life. At Pan American, 
we  are  committed  to  ensuring  that  our  operations  do  not 
negatively affect sources of water by ensuring that we use it in 
the most efficient way possible. For that reason, our discharges 
comply with or exceed regulated requirements where necessary.  
At  the  Quiruvilca  mine,  we  have  been  working  with  the  local 
communities on a re-vegetation project that began with seeding 
the river with species of algae which changed and increased micro 
life in the area. A similar river improvement is underway at the San 
Vicente  mine,  where  we  are  removing  historic  acid-generating 
mine  spoils  (unrelated  to  our  operations)  and  rehabilitating  the 
riverbed. 

ENERGY

At Pan American we recognize the challenges and risks associated 
with  climate  change.  Improving  our  energy  efficiency  is  key 
to  reducing  our  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emission,  and  while 
conservation  efforts  to  date  have  been  limited,  we  promote 
innovation opportunities for improvement among our staff.  

Many of our mines maintain relatively low GHG emission rates 
because  their  mining  and  processing  are  powered  from  their 
national electrical grids (classified as energy consumption from 
an indirect source, which is categorized at a lower GHG emission 
than Direct, or fossil-fuel consumption). 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

41

tax  rate  that  also  varies  depending  on  operating  margins. The 
Company’s calculations of the change in the royalty and the new 
tax indicate that no material impact is expected on the results of 
the Company’s Peruvian operations.

On  October  26,  2011,  the  Federal  Government  of  Argentina 
promulgated an “economic emergency” decree requiring all oil, 
gas and mining exporters to repatriate 100% of revenue receipts, 
in  an  attempt  to  stem  ongoing  capital  flight.  Pan  American  is 
currently assessing the implications the new regulation will have 
on  its  Manantial  Espejo  mine  and  its  development  projects  in 
Chubut and Rio Negro. Currently, management believes that the 
likely impact would come in the form of additional transaction fees 
associated  with  the  repatriation  of  funds;  however,  the  precise 
methods  of  application  of  the  decree  are  still  being  formulated 
by the Government and are being analyzed by the Company as 
further details are determined.

Management  and  the  Board  of  Directors  continuously  assess 
risks  that  the  Company  is  exposed  to,  and  attempt  to  mitigate 
these risks where practical through a range of risk management 
including  employing  qualified  and  experienced 
strategies, 
personnel.  

METAL PRICE RISK 

Pan American derives its revenue from the sale of silver, zinc, lead, 
copper, and gold. The Company’s sales are directly dependent on 
metal prices that have shown extreme volatility and are beyond 
the  Company’s  control. The  table  below  illustrates  the  effect  of 
changes in silver and gold prices on anticipated revenues for 2012.  
This analysis assumes that quantities of silver and gold produced 
and sold remain constant under all price scenarios presented.  

Educational  campaigns  among  workers  and  locals  are  being 
evaluated to teach the importance of conserving energy and the 
most  efficient  way  to  manage  consumption. Also,  our  ongoing 
reforestation  and  restoration  projects  contribute  to  mitigating 
GHG emissions. At the Alamo Dorado mine, four hectares of land 
have  been  reclaimed  and  120,000m3  of  topsoil  recovered  and 
stored for use when the property is restored after closure. At the 
Quiruvilca mine, a similar program has been put in place.

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The  Company  is  exposed  to  many  risks  in  conducting  its 
business,  including  but  not  limited  to:  metal  price  risk  as  the 
Company  derives  its  revenue  from  the  sale  of  silver,  zinc,  lead, 
copper,  and  gold;  credit  risk  in  the  normal  course  of  dealing 
with  other  companies;  foreign  exchange  risk  as  the  Company 
reports  its  financial  statements  in  USD  whereas  the  Company 
operates in jurisdictions that utilize other currencies; the inherent 
risk  of  uncertainties  in  estimating  mineral  reserves  and  mineral 
resources;  political  risks;  and  environmental  risks  and  risks 
related to its relations with employees.  These and other risks are 
described in Pan American’s Annual Information Form (available 
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com); Form 40-F filed with the SEC; and 
the  Audited  Annual  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  the 
year ended December 31, 2011.  Readers are encouraged to refer 
to  these  documents  for  a  more  detailed  description  of  some  of 
the risks and uncertainties inherent to Pan American’s business. 

In  a  press  release  on  April  19,  2011,  management  provided 
comments  on  media  reports  from  Bolivia,  that  the  Bolivian 
government  was  considering  unilaterally  terminating  contracts 
and taking control of several privately-operated mines (formerly 
operated by the government).  In a follow up release on May 3, 
2011, the Company provided an update on this situation.  On May 
1, 2011 Bolivian President Evo Morales announced the formation 
of a multi-disciplinary committee to re-evaluate several pieces of 
legislation, including the mining law. However, Mr. Morales made 
no reference to reviewing or terminating agreements with private 
mining  companies.  Operations  at  San  Vicente  have  continued 
to  run  normally  under  Pan  American’s  administration  and  the 
Company expects normal operations to continue status quo. The 
Company will take every measure available to enforce its rights 
under its agreement with COMIBOL and is confident that it will 
ultimately be successful in protecting its investment.

The  Company’s  Mexican  operations  have  both  suffered  from 
armed robberies of doré within the past two years. The Company 
has  instituted  a  number  of  additional  security  measures  and  a 
more frequent shipping schedule in response to these incidents. 
The Company has subsequently renewed its insurance policy to 
mitigate  some  of  the  financial  loss  that  would  result  from  such 
criminal activities in the future, however a substantial deductible 
amount would apply to any such losses in Mexico. 

In  September  Peru’s  Parliament  approved  new  laws  to  change 
the scheme for royalty payments and to introduce a new special 
mining  tax,  which  are  effective  from  October  1,  2011.  Under 
the  previous  tax  scheme,  royalties  were  based  on  net  revenue. 
Under  the  current  law,  royalties  are  based  on  operating  profit 
and  royalty  rates  that  vary  depending  on  operating  margins.  In 
the  case  that  the  calculated  royalty  payments  are  less  than  1% 
of  net  revenue,  then  the  Company  will  pay  a  minimum  royalty 
of 1% of net revenue. Additionally, a new special mining tax has 
been introduced which is also based on operating profits and a 

42

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

ExPECTED 2012 REVENUE (000’s USD)

GOLD PRICE

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,700 

702,226 

742,331 

782,409 

822,459 

862,469 

902,445 

942,402

982,319

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,800 

709,804 

749,909 

789,986 

830,036 

870,045   

910,020  

949,977

989,893

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,600 

694,648 

734,754 

774,832 

814,882 

854,893 

894,869 

934,827

974,744

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,900 

717,381   

757,486 

797,563  

837,612   

877,621 

917,596 

957,553

997,468

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,000 

724,959 

765,064 

805,141 

845,189 

885,197 

925,171 

965,128

1,005,043

I

E
C
R
P
R
E
V
L
I
S

$ 26.00

$ 28.00

$ 30.00

$ 32.00

$ 34.00

$ 36.00

$ 38.00

$ 40.00

Consistent with the Company’s mission to provide equity investors with exposure to changes in silver prices, our policy is not to hedge 
the price of silver.

From time to time, Pan American mitigates the price risk associated with its base metal production by committing some of its forecasted 
base metal production under forward sales and option contracts, as described under the “Financial Instruments” section of this MD&A.  
The Board of Directors continually assesses the Company’s strategy towards its base metal exposure, depending on market conditions.

Since base metal and gold revenue are treated as a by-product credit for purposes of calculating cash costs per ounce of silver, this 
non-GAAP measure is highly sensitive to base metal and gold prices. The table below illustrates this point by plotting the expected 
cash cost per ounce according to the 2012 forecast against various price assumptions for the Company’s two main by-product credits, 
zinc and gold.

CASH COST PER OUNCE OF SILVER PRODUCED (USD/OZ)

GOLD PRICE

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,600

12.43

12.27

12.11

11.97

11.83

11.65

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,700

12.08

11.92

11.76

11.62

11.48

11.30

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,800

11.73

11.57

11.41

11.27

11.13

10.95

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,900

11.38

11.22

11.06

10.92

10.78

10.59

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,000

11.03

10.87

10.70

10.57

10.43

10.24

$ 1,700

$ 1,850

$ 2,000

$ 2,150

$ 2,300

$ 2,500

I

E
C
R
P
C
N
Z

I

The Company has long-term contracts to sell the zinc, lead and copper concentrates produced by the Quiruvilca, Huaron, Morococha, 
San Vicente and La Colorada mines. These contracts include provisions for pricing the contained metals, including silver, based on 
average spot prices over defined 30-day periods that may differ from the month in which the concentrate was produced. Under these 
circumstances, the Company may, from time to time, fix the price for a portion of the payable metal content during the month that the 
concentrates are produced.

CREDIT RISK

The zinc, lead and copper concentrates produced by Pan American are sold through long-term supply arrangements to metal traders 
or integrated mining and smelting companies. The terms of the concentrate contracts may require the Company to deliver concentrate 
that has a value greater than the payment received at the time of delivery, thereby introducing the Company to credit risk of the buyers 
of our concentrates. Should any of these counterparties not honour supply arrangements, or should any of them become insolvent, Pan 
American may incur losses for products already shipped and be forced to sell its concentrates on the spot market or it may not have a 
market for its concentrates and therefore its future operating results may be materially adversely impacted.  

For example, the Doe Run Peru (“DRP”) smelter, a past significant buyer of Pan American’s production in Peru, experienced financial 
difficulties in the first quarter of 2009 and closed. Pan American continued to sell copper concentrates to other buyers but on inferior 
terms.  At the end of 2010 and at the date of this MD&A, the DRP smelter remains closed and Pan American is owed approximately $8.8 
million under the terms of its contract with DRP for deliveries of concentrates that occurred in early 2009. The Company has established  
a  doubtful  accounts  receivable  provision  for  the  full  amount  receivable  from  DRP. The  Company  continues  to  pursue  all  legal  and 
commercial avenues to collect the amount outstanding.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

43

 
 
At  December  31,  2011  the  Company  had  receivable  balances 
associated with buyers of our concentrates of $40.5 million (2010 
-  $51.0  million). All  of  this  receivable  balance  is  owed  by  eight 
well  known  concentrate  buyers  and  the  vast  majority  of  our 
concentrate is sold to those same counterparts.

Silver  doré  production  is  refined  under  long  term  agreements 
with  fixed  refining  terms  at  three  refineries  worldwide.  The 
Company generally retains the risk and title to the precious metals 
throughout the process of refining and therefore is exposed to the 
risk that the refineries will not be able to perform in accordance 
with  the  refining  contract  and  that  the  Company  may  not  be 
able to fully recover our precious metals in such circumstances. 
At  December  31,  2011  the  Company  had  approximately  $35.9 
million  (2010  -  $20.8  million)  of  value  contained  in  precious 
metal inventory at refineries. The Company maintains insurance 
coverage against the loss of precious metal doré and base metal 
concentrates at our mine sites, in-transit to refineries and while at 
the refineries and smelters.

Refined  silver  and  gold  is  sold  on  the  spot  market  to  various 
bullion  traders  and  banks.  Credit  risk  may  arise  from  these 
activities  if  the  Company  is  not  paid  for  metal  at  the  time  it  is 
delivered, as required by spot sale contracts.

The Company maintains trading facilities with several banks and 
bullion  dealers  for  the  purposes  of  transacting  the  Company’s 
trading  activities.  None  of  these  facilities  are  subject  to  margin 
arrangements. The Company’s trading activities can expose us to 
the credit risk of our counterparties to the extent that our trading 
positions have a positive mark-to-market value.  

Management  constantly  monitors  and  assesses  the  credit  risk 
resulting  from  its  concentrate  sales,  refining  arrangements  and 
commodity  contracts.  Furthermore,  management  carefully 
considers  credit  risk  when  allocating  prospective  sales  and 
refining business to counterparties. In making allocation decisions, 
management  attempts  to  avoid  unacceptable  concentration  of 
credit risk to any single counterparty.

ExCHANGE RATE RISK

its  financial  statements 

Pan  American  reports 
in  USD; 
however  the  Company  operates  in  jurisdictions  that  utilize 
other  currencies.  As  a  consequence,  the  financial  results  of 
the  Company’s  operations,  as  reported  in  USD,  are  subject  to 
changes  in  the  value  of  the  USD  relative  to  local  currencies.  
Since the Company’s revenues are denominated in USD and a 
portion of the Company’s operating costs and capital spending 
are in local currencies, the Company is negatively impacted by 
strengthening local currencies relative to the USD and positively 
impacted by the inverse. The local currencies that the Company 
has the most exposure to are the Peruvian soles (PEN), Mexican 
pesos  (MXN)  and  Argentine  pesos  (ARS). The  following  table 
illustrates  the  effect  of  changes  in  the  exchange  rate  of  PEN 
and MXN against the USD on anticipated cost of sales for 2012, 
expressed in percentage terms: 

D
S
U
/
N
E
P

2.30 

2.50 

2.70 

2.90 

3.10  

11.00 

12.00 

13.00 

14.00 

MxN/USD

106%

105%

103%

102%

101%

105%

103%

102%

100%

99%

103%

101%

100%

99%

98%

102%

100%

99%

97%

96%

15.00 

100%

99%

98%

96%

95%

Under this analysis, our cost of sales is reflected at 100% of our forecasted foreign exchange assumptions for the PEN and MXN of 2.70 
and 13.00 per one USD, respectively. Devaluation of the USD relative to the PEN and MXN has the effect of increasing our anticipated 
cost of sales above 100%, and vice versa.

In order to mitigate this exposure, the Company maintains a portion of its cash balances in PEN, MXN and CAD and, from time to 
time, enters into forward currency positions to match anticipated spending. At December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any open 
currency forward positions, but was holding approximately 51% of its cash balances in currencies other than USD.

The Company’s balance sheet contains various monetary assets and liabilities, some of which are denominated in foreign currencies.  
Accounting convention dictates that these balances are translated at the end of each period, with resulting adjustments being reflected 
as foreign exchange gains or losses on the Company’s income statement.  

44

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

LIQUIDITY RISK

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Pan  American’s  business  depends  on  good  relations  with 
its  employees.  At  December  31,  2011  the  Company  had 
approximately  7,622  employees  and  employees  of  mining 
contractors, of which approximately 2,208 were represented by 
unions  in  Peru,  416  by  a  union  in Argentina  and  a  further  286 
by a union in Bolivia. The Mexican mines do not have a union.  
The Company has experienced short-duration labour strikes and 
work  stoppages  in  the  past  and  may  experience  future  labour 
related events.

The  number  of  persons  skilled  in  acquisition,  exploration  and 
development  of  mining  properties  is  limited  and  competition 
for  such  persons  is  intense.  As  Pan  American’s  business 
activity grows, Pan American will require additional key mining 
personnel as well as additional financial and administrative staff. 
There can be no assurance that Pan American will be successful 
in  attracting,  training  and  retaining  qualified  personnel  as 
competition  for  persons  with  these  skill  sets  increases.  If  Pan 
American  is  not  successful  in  this  regard,  the  efficiency  of  its 
operations  could  be  impaired,  which  could  have  an  adverse 
impact on Pan American’s future cash flows, earnings, results of 
operations and financial condition.

CLAIMS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  

Pan American is subject to various claims and legal proceedings 
covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course 
of business activities, including claims relating to ex-employees.  
Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is 
possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavourably 
to  Pan  American.  The  Company  carries  liability  insurance 
coverage and establishes provisions for matters that are probable 
and can be reasonably estimated. In addition, Pan American may 
be involved in disputes with other parties in the future which may 
result  in  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our  financial  condition, 
cash  flow  and  results  of  operations.  Please  refer  to  the  Note 
“Commitments and Contingencies” of the Audited Consolidated 
Financial Statements for further information. 

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

An  element  of  the  Company’s  business  strategy  is  to  make 
selected  acquisitions.  The  Company  expects  to  continue  to 
evaluate acquisition opportunities on a regular basis and intends 
to pursue those opportunities that it believes are in its long-term 
best  interests. The  success  of  the  Company’s  acquisitions  will 
depend  upon  the  Company’s  ability  to  effectively  manage  the 
operations of entities it acquires and to realize other anticipated 
benefits.  The  process  of  managing  acquired  businesses  may 
involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate 
amount of management resources. There can be no assurance that 
the Company will be able to successfully manage the operations 
of  businesses  it  acquires  or  that  the  anticipated  benefits  of  its 
acquisitions will be realized.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet 
its  financial  obligations  as  they  come  due. The  volatility  of  the 
metals markets can impact the Company’s ability to forecast cash 
flow from operations.  

The Company must maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its short-
term  business  requirements,  taking  into  account  its  anticipated 
cash  flows  from  operations,  its  holdings  of  cash  and  cash 
equivalents and committed loan facilities.

its 

The  Company  manages 
liquidity  risk  by  continuously 
monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows. The Company has 
in place a rigorous reporting, planning and budgeting process to 
help determine the funds required to support its normal operating 
requirements  on  an  ongoing  basis  and  its  expansion  plans.  
The  Company  continually  evaluates  and  reviews  capital  and 
operating expenditures in order to identify, decrease and limit all 
non-essential  expenditures.  Pan  American  expects  to  generate 
positive  free  cash  flow  from  operations  in  2012  and  to  further 
strengthen its liquidity position. 

POLITICAL AND COUNTRY RISK

Pan  American  currently  conducts  operations  in  Peru,  Mexico, 
Argentina  and  Bolivia.  All  of  these  jurisdictions  are  potentially 
subject  to  a  number  of  political  and  economic  risks,  including 
those described above. The Company is unable to determine the 
impact of these risks on its future financial position or results of 
operations  and  the  Company’s  exploration,  development  and 
production  activities  may  be  substantially  affected  by  factors 
outside of Pan American’s control. These potential factors include, 
but  are  not  limited  to:  royalty  and  tax  increases  or  claims  by 
governmental  bodies,  expropriation  or  nationalization,  foreign 
exchange  controls,  import  and  export  regulations,  cancellation 
or  renegotiation  of  contracts  and  environmental  and  permitting 
regulations.  The Company currently has no political risk insurance 
coverage against these risks.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH  
AND SAfETY RISKS

Pan  American’s  activities  are  subject  to  extensive  laws  and 
regulations governing environmental protection and employee 
health  and  safety.  Environmental  laws  and  regulations  are 
complex and have tended to become more stringent over time. 
Pan American  is  required  to  obtain  governmental  permits  and 
in some instances provide bonding requirements under federal, 
state,  or  provincial  air,  water  quality,  and  mine  reclamation 
rules and permits. Although Pan American makes provisions for 
reclamation costs, it cannot be assured that these provisions will 
be adequate to discharge its future obligations for these costs.

Failure to comply with applicable environmental and health and 
safety laws may result in injunctions, damages, suspension or 
revocation  of  permits  and  imposition  of  penalties.  While  the 
health and safety of our people and responsible environmental 
stewardship  are  our  top  priorities,  there  can  be  no  assurance 
that Pan American has been or will be at all times in complete 
compliance  with  such  laws,  regulations  and  permits,  or  that 
the  costs  of  complying  with  current  and  future  environmental 
and health and safety laws and permits will not materially and 
adversely affect Pan American’s business, results of operations 
or financial condition.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

45

CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS IN THE 
APPLICATION Of ACCOUNTING 
POLICIES
In preparing financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards, management is required to make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in 
the consolidated financial statements.  These critical accounting 
estimates represent management estimates and judgments that 
are uncertain and any changes in these could materially impact 
the Company’s financial statements. Management continuously 
reviews  its  estimates,  judgments,  and  assumptions  using  the 
most current information available. 

As  this  is  the  first  year  that  financial  statements  have  been 
prepared  using  IFRS,  readers  should  refer  to  Note  2  of  the 
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 
31, 2011, for the Company’s summary of significant accounting 
policies  including  discussion  of  “Significant  Judgements  in 
Applying  Accounting  Policies  and  Key  Sources  of  Estimation 
Uncertainty”. 

fUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED AND EffECTIVE  
JANUARY 1, 2012

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures amendment issued by 
the IASB in October 2010 enhances the disclosure requirements 
in  relation  to  transferred  financial  assets. The  amendments  are 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2011, with 
earlier  application  permitted. The  Company  does  not  anticipate 
this amendment to have a significant impact on the consolidated 
financial statements.

IAS 12 Income Taxes amendment issued by the IASB in December 
2010 provides a solution to determining the recovery of investment 
properties as it relates to the accounting for deferred income taxes.  
This amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or 
after July 1, 2011, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company 
does not anticipate this amendment to have a significant impact 
on the consolidated financial statements. 

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED AND EffECTIVE  
JANUARY 1, 2013

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements establishes principles 
for  the  presentation  and  preparation  of  consolidated  financial 
statements when an entity controls one or more other entities. This 
standard (i) requires a parent entity (an entity that controls one or 
more other entities) to present consolidated financial statements; 
(ii) defines the principle of control, and establishes control as the 
basis  for  consolidation;  (iii)  sets  out  how  to  apply  the  principle 
of  control  to  identify  whether  an  investor  controls  an  investee 
and  therefore  must  consolidate  the  investee;  and  (iv)  sets  out 
the accounting requirements for the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements. IFRS 10 supersedes IAS 27 Consolidated and 
Separate Financial Statements and SIC-12 Consolidation - Special 
Purpose Entities and is effective for annual periods beginning on 
or after January 1, 2013, with early application permitted.  

IFRS  11  Joint Arrangements  establishes  the  core  principle  that 
a  party  to  a  joint  arrangement  determines  the  type  of  joint 
arrangement  in  which  it  is  involved  by  assessing  its  rights  and 
obligations  and  accounts  for  those  rights  and  obligations  in 
accordance with that type of joint arrangement. This standard is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, 
with early application permitted.  

IFRS  12  Disclosure  of  Interest  in  Other  Entities  requires  the 
disclosure  of 
information  that  enables  users  of  financial 
statements  to  evaluate  the  nature  of,  and  risks  associated  with, 
its interests in other entities and the effects of those interests on 
its financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This 
standard  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after 
January 1, 2013, with early application permitted.  

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement defines fair value, sets out in a 
single  IFRS  a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value  and  requires 
disclosures about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 applies when 
another  IFRS  requires  or  permits  fair  value  measurements  or 
disclosures about fair value measurements (and measurements, 
such  as  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell,  based  on  fair  value  or 
disclosures about those measurements), except for: share-based 
payment  transactions  within  the  scope  of  IFRS  2  Share-based 
Payment; leasing transactions within the scope of IAS 17 Leases;  
measurements that have some similarities to fair value but that 
are not fair value, such as net realizable value in IAS 2 Inventories 
or value in use in IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. This standard is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, 
with early application permitted.  

IAS 1  Presentation of Financial Statements amendment, issued 
by  the  IASB  in  June  2011,  requires  an  entity  to  group  items 
presented  in  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  on  the 
basis of whether they may be reclassified to earnings subsequent 
to initial recognition. For those items presented before taxes, the 
amendments  to  IAS  1  also  require  that  the  taxes  related  to  the 
two separate groups be presented separately. The amendments 
are  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  July  1, 
2012,  with  earlier  adoption  permitted. The  Company  does  not 
anticipate the application of IAS 1 to have a material impact on its 
consolidated financial statements.

IAS  19  Employee  Benefits  amendment,  issued  by  the  IASB  on 
June  2011  introduced  changes  to  the  accounting  for  defined 
benefit  plans  and  other  employee  benefits.  The  amendments 
include elimination of the options to defer, or recognize in full in 
earnings,  actuarial  gains  and  losses  and  instead  mandates  the 
immediate  recognition  of  all  actuarial  gains  and  losses  in  other 
comprehensive  income  and  requires  use  of  the  same  discount 
rate  for  both  the  defined  benefit  obligation  and  expected  asset 
return  when  calculating  interest  cost.  Other  changes  include 
modification  of  the  accounting  for  termination  benefits  and 
classification of other employee benefits. 

The Company does not anticipate the application of the amended 
IAS  19  to  have  a  material  impact  on  its  consolidated  financial 
statements.

IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements has the 
objective  of  setting  standards  to  be  applied  in  accounting  for 
investments in subsidiaries, jointly ventures, and associates when 
an  entity  elects,  or  is  required  by  local  regulations,  to  present 
separate (non-consolidated) financial statements. This standard is 

46

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, 
with  early  application  permitted. This  standard  will  not  have  an 
impact on the consolidated financial statements. 

IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures prescribes 
the  accounting  for  investments  in  associates  and  sets  out  the 
requirements  for  the  application  of  the  equity  method  when 
accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures. IAS 
28 applies to all entities that are investors with joint control of, or 
significant influence over, an investee (associate or joint venture). 
This standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2013, with early application permitted.  

IFRIC  20  Stripping  Costs  in  the  Production  Phase  of  a  Surface 
Mine  clarifies  the  requirements  for  accounting  for  the  costs  of 
stripping  activity  in  the  production  phase  when  two  benefits 
accrue: (i) useable ore that can be used to produce inventory and 
(ii) improved access to further quantities of material that will be 
mined in future periods. IFRIC 20 is effective for annual periods 
beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2013  with  earlier  application 
permitted  and  includes  guidance  on  transition  for  pre-existing 
stripping assets.

The Company has not early adopted any of these standards and is 
currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these standards might 
have on its consolidated financial statements.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS EffECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015

IFRS  9  Financial  Instruments  cis  intended  to  replace  IAS  39 
Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement  in  its 
entirety by the IASB in three main phases. IFRS 9 will be the new 
standard for the financial reporting of financial instruments that 
is principles-based and less complex than IAS 39. In November 
2009 and October 2010, phase 1 of IFRS was issued and amended, 
respectively, which addressed the classification and measurement 
of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities.    IFRS  9  requires  that 
all  financial  assets  be  classified  as  subsequently  measured  at 
amortized cost or at fair value based on the Company’s business 
model  for  managing  financial  assets  and  the  contractual  cash 
flow characteristics of the financial assets. Financial liabilities are 

classified as subsequently measured at amortized cost except for 
financial liabilities classified as a FVTPL, financial guarantees and 
certain other exceptions. In response to delays to the completion 
of  the  remaining  phases  of  the  project,  on  December  16,  2011, 
the  IASB  issued  amendments  to  IFRS  9  which  deferred  the 
mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 from January 1, 2013 to annual 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015. The amendments 
also provided relief from the requirements to restate comparative 
financial statements for the effects of applying IFRS 9.

INTERNATIONAL fINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS  
(IfRS) 

The  Accounting  Standards  Board  (AcSB)  adopted  IFRS  as 
Canadian  GAAP  for  publicly  accountable  enterprises  for  fiscal 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. As such, the Company 
is reporting its first audited consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS for the year ended December 31, 2011, with 
comparative figures for the year ended December 31, 2010. Due 
to the requirement to present comparative financial information, 
the effective transition date is January 1, 2010.

Our  IFRS  conversion  team  identified  three  phases  to  our 
conversion: scoping and diagnostics, analysis and development, 
implementation  and  review.  All  three  phases  have  now  been 
completed.

Note  23  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year 
ending  December  31,  2011,  provides  further  details  on  our 
key  Canadian  GAAP  to  IFRS  differences,  reconciliations  of  our 
previously reported financial information under Canadian GAAP 
and  IFRS,  and  our  IFRS  1  First-Time  Adoption  of  International 
Financial Reporting Standards optional exemption choices while 
Note 2 discloses our significant accounting policies.

TRANSITIONAL fINANCIAL IMPACT

The below summarized financial statements provide an overview 
of the impact on our statement of financial position and income 
statement upon transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS.

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION RECONCILIATION

DECEMBER 31, 2010

AS AT JANUARY 1, 2010
(Date of transition)

Canadian 
GAAP

Effect of 
Transition
to IFRS

IFRS

Canadian  
GAAP

Effects of 
Transition 
to IFRS

IFRS 
Opening

Total assets

Total liabilities

$ 2,072,608

$

(333,812)

$

1,738,796

$

1,848,609

$ (278,290)

1,570,319

544,546

(155,759)

388,787

489,563

(233,531)

256,032

Non-controlling interest

7,774

(7,774)

-

15,256

(15,256)

-

Total equity

1,520,288

(170,279)

1,350,009

1,343,790

(29,503)

1,314,287

Total liabilities and equity

$ 2,072,608

(333,812)

$

1,738,796

$

1,848,609

$ (278,290)

$ 1,570,319

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

47

SUMMARIZED INCOME STATEMENT RECONCILIATION

Net Earnings for the period

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interest

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
(The latest presented year 
under previous GAAP)

Previous 
GAAP

Effects of 
Transition 
to IFRS

$

112,573

$

(96,866)

-

-

-

$

13,711

1,996

$

15,707

$

15,707

IFRS

15,707

13,711

1,996

KEY EFFECTS OF TRANSITION TO IFRS

Deferred taxes
The  adjustments  to  deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities 
reflect the tax effects under IAS 12 Income Taxes:  

(a)   IAS  12  requires  recognition  of  deferred  income  taxes  for 
differences that arise on translation of non-monetary assets 
denominated 
in  currencies  other  than  the  Company’s 
functional  currency. The  tax  bases  of  these  non-monetary 
assets  are  re-measured  from  historical  rates  to  functional 
currency  using  current  exchange  rates. The  difference  as  a 
result of change in exchange rates creates a deferred income 
tax  adjustment.  Under  Canadian  GAAP  (“CGAAP”),  the 
historical  exchange  rates  were  used  and  any  differences 
that  arose  from  re-measurement  were  recorded  as  foreign 
exchange gain or loss.  The Company has mining properties 
in  Argentina,  Peru,  Mexico  and  Bolivia  with  significant 
tax  basis  denominated  in  local  currencies,  the  movement 
between the US dollar and these local currencies gives rise 
to changes in deferred income tax.  

(b)   Unlike  CGAAP,  IAS  12  prohibits  the  recognition  of  deferred 
taxes  on  initial  recognition  of  an  asset  or  liability  where 
the  acquisition  is  not  a  business  combination  and  neither 
accounting profit nor taxable profit were affected at the time 
of the transaction. Accordingly, in its opening statement of 
financial  position,  the  Company  has  reversed  the  deferred 
income tax liabilities recognized on acquisition of the assets 
of Aquiline, Manantial Espejo and Alamo Dorado.   

(c)   The  deferred  income  tax  expense  booked  on  the  deferred 
component  of  the  employee  profit-sharing  arrangement  at 
some of the Company’s sites is different under IFRS.  Unlike 
CGAAP,  the  deferred  component  of  this  employee  benefit 
liability is not recognized under IAS 19 Employee benefits. 

(d)   IAS  12  specifies  the  conditions  under  which  an  entity  can 
offset both current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, and 
requires deferred taxes to be presented as non-current.

(e)   The tax effects of other IFRS adjustments.

Closure and decommissioning  
(a)   Under 

IAS  37  Provisions,  Contingent  Liabilities  and 
Contingent  Assets,  the  closure  provision  is  measured 
based  on  the  best  estimate  of  expenditure  required  to 
settle  the  obligation  at  the  statement  of  financial  position 
date using current discount rate and inflation assumptions; 
thus  simplifying  the  calculation  by  removing  the  ‘layering’ 
concept used for CGAAP. In addition, IFRS requires that the 
liability  be  re-measured  at  each  reporting  date  versus  the 
requirement in CGAAP to re-measure in the event of changes 
in the amount or timing of cash flows required to settle the 
obligation. 

(b)   A  reclassification  of  the  accretion  on  the  closure  and 
decommissioning liability from operating expense to finance 
expense  to  comply  with  the  presentation  requirements  of 
IAS 37.

Share purchase warrants
Reclassification of share purchase warrants that were presented 
as  equity  instruments  under  CGAAP  to  derivative  financial 
liability  under  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and 
Measurement.  Under  IFRS,  share  purchase  warrants  with 
an  exercise  price  denominated  in  a  currency  other  than  the 
Company's functional currency are classified and accounted for 
as  financial  liabilities  and,  as  such,  are  measured  at  their  fair 
values  with  changes  in  fair  values  included  in  net  earnings.  
Accordingly, a loss of $90.7 million was recorded under IFRS for 
the year ended December 31, 2010.  

Adjustments for non-controlling interest 
An adjustment to record the changes in non-controlling interests 
resulting  from  all  the  IFRS  adjustments  and  reclassification  of 
non-controlling  interests  to  be  included  in  the  equity  section 
under IFRS.

Depreciation 
The  adjustment  to  depreciation  is  a  result  of  a  change  in  the 
mineral property, plant and equipment basis as a consequence 
of the changes to the closure and decommissioning liability at 
all  the  mine  sites  and  changes  related  to  IAS  12  Income Taxes 
as  discussed  above.  In  addition,  a  presentation  adjustment  to 
include depreciation and amortization expenses as part of cost 
of sales.  

48

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Foreign exchange gains or losses on available-for-sale 
monetary securities 
A reclassification of the unrealized gains or losses on available 
for sale monetary securities from other comprehensive income 
(under CGAAP) to earnings for the period (to retained earnings 
on transition date) to comply with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement.

Provisions 
A  reclassification  of  the  current  portion  of  litigation  provision 
from trade and other payables to provisions. 

Royalty 
A reclassification of royalty expenses from revenue to cost of sales 
to comply with the definition of Revenue under IAS 18 Revenue.

Changes in ownership interests 
During  the  first  quarter  of  2010,  the  Company  increased  a 
controlling  ownership  interest  in  a  business  (Aquiline)  by  7%.  
Under IFRS, changes in ownership interest that do not result in 
a  loss  of  control  are  accounted  for  as  equity  transactions  and 
the  carrying  amounts  of  the  controlling  and  non-controlling 
interests  are  adjusted  to  reflect  the  changes  in  their  relative 
interests in the subsidiary. Under the CGAAP policy of the entity, 
such  changes  were  treated  as  step  acquisitions  requiring  an 
increase in the carrying value of the consolidated business. An 
adjustment  was  required  in  the  first  quarter  in  order  to  adjust 
the  IFRS  financial  statements  for  the  impact  of  this  GAAP 
difference and appropriately account for this change as an equity 
transaction under IFRS. Accordingly, a $39.8 million adjustment 
was charged to equity (within retained earnings) under IFRS for 
this period.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
RECONCILIATION
The  adoption  of  IFRS  has  not  had  any  impact  on  the  net  cash 
flows  of  the  Company,  with  the  exception  of  the  treatment  of 
advances received for construction and equipment leases which 
under  CGAAP  are  applied  to  capital  for  net  investing  whereas 
under  IFRS  they  are  included  in  income.  Additionally,  the 
changes made to the statements of financial position and income 
statements have resulted in reclassifications of various amounts 
on the statements of cash flows, however as there have been no 
significant change to the net cash flows, no reconciliations have 
been presented.

OUTLOOK ON FUTURE EARNINGS
Under IFRS, future net earnings will be impacted by changes in 
fair values to the Company’s share purchase warrants, with an 
exercise  price  denominated  in  CAD.  Changes  in  the  fair  value 
of  the  share  purchase  warrants  is  primarily  influenced  by  the 
Company’s  share  price,  the  volatility  of  the  Company’s  share 
price  and  the  Canadian  to  USD  exchange  rate.  Generally,  if 
either the share price or the volatility increase or the Canadian 
dollar strengthens against the USD, with other factors remaining 
constant, the fair value of the warrant liability will increase and 
the  Company  will  record  an  expense  in  its  future  earnings.  In 
addition, these changes in the valuation of the share purchase 
warrants  create  a  permanent  difference  for  tax  purposes  and 
may result in significant volatility of our effective tax rate. 

Secondly, due to the change in the accounting methodology of 
recognizing  deferred  taxes  that  arise  on  foreign  non-monetary 
assets, the Company expects its foreign exchange gains or losses 
related to deferred income taxes to be less volatile under IFRS.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS 
The adoption of IFRS did not have a significant impact on our 
information systems for the convergence periods. 

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND 
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 
The  Company  assessed  the  changes  necessitated  to  maintain 
the  integrity  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  and 
disclosure  controls  and  procedures. The  extent  of  the  impact 
on  these  controls  was  immaterial.  The  Company  applied  its 
existing control framework to the IFRS changeover process.  All 
accounting policy changes and financial statement impacts were 
reviewed  by  senior  management  and  the  Audit  Committee  of 
the Board of Directors. 

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES 
The Company has assessed the impact of the adoption of IFRS 
on its key performance indicators. The transition to IFRS did not 
have  a  significant  impact  on  its  key  performance  indicators, 
which include gross profit margin, adjusted earnings per share, 
cash flow from operations and cash costs.  

All analysis and conclusions are based on the IFRSs effective at 
December 31, 2011.  As the IASB currently has various projects 
on its work plan that might affect our decisions for the financial 
year  2012,  the  Company  continues  to  monitor  and  assess  the 
impact of these changes. 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Please refer to the section “Minefinders Transaction”, previously 
described, for details of the pending transaction announcement 
that occurred subsequent to December 31, 2011.

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS  
AND PROCEDURES
Pan American’s management considers the meaning of internal 
control  to  be  the  processes  established  by  management  to 
provide  reasonable  assurance  about  the  achievement  of  the 
Company’s  objectives  regarding  operations,  reporting  and 
compliance.  Internal  control  is  designed  to  address  identified 
risks that threaten any of these objectives.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company carried out an evaluation, 
under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s 
management,  including  the  Company’s  Chief  Executive  Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and 
operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  
Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, 
the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER fINANCIAL  
REPORTING

There  was  no  change  in  the  Company’s  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  that  occurred  during  the  period  that  has 
materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its 
internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

49

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER  
fINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of Pan American is responsible for establishing and 
maintaining  an  adequate  system  of  internal  control,  including 
internal  controls  over  financial  reporting.  Internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  by,  or  under  the 
supervision of, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the 
Chief  Financial  Officer  and  effected  by  the  Board  of  Directors, 
management  and  other  personnel  to  provide  reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and 
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. It 
includes those policies and procedures that:

a)    pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that  in  reasonable 
detail  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the  transactions  and 
dispositions of the assets of Pan American,

b)    are  designed 

to  provide  reasonable  assurance 

that 
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation 
of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  International 
Financial  Reporting  Standards,  and  that  receipts  and 
expenditures  of  Pan  American  are  being  made  only  in 
accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  Pan 
American’s directors, and

c) 

 are  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding 
prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition, 
use or disposition of Pan American’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the annual financial statements or interim 
financial reports. 

The Company’s management, including its President and Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believe that due to 
its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting 
may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. Also, 
projections  of  any  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal 
control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to 
the  risk  that  the  controls  may  become  inadequate  because  of 
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management  assessed  the  effectiveness  of  Pan  American’s 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  at  December 
31,  2011,  based  on  the  criteria  set  forth  in  Internal  Control  – 
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations  of  the Treadway  Commission  (COSO).  Based  on 
this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 
2011, Pan American’s internal control over financial reporting is 
effective. 

Management reviewed the results of management’s assessment 
with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.  
Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP, 
independent  registered  chartered 
accountants,  were  engaged,  as  approved  by  a  vote  of  the 
Company’s  shareholders,  to  audit  and  provide  independent 
opinions  on  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial  statements 
and  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2011.  Deloitte  & Touche 
LLP has provided such opinions.

50

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

MINERAL RESERVES AND RESOURCES

MINERAL RESERVES—PROVEN AND PROBABLE

LOCATION

TYPE

CLASSIFICATION

TONNES (Mt)

Ag (g/t)

Ag Cont (Moz)

Au (g/t) Au Cont (000’s oz)

Huaron 

Peru

Morococha (92.2%)

Peru

La Colorada

Mexico

Quiruvilca

Peru

Alamo Dorado

Mexico

Manantial Espejo

Argentina

San Vicente (95%)

Bolivia

Vein
Vein
Vein/Mantos
Vein/Mantos
Vein
Vein
Vein
Vein
Disseminated
Disseminated
Vein
Vein
Vein
Vein

Proven 
Probable
Proven 
Probable
Proven
Probable
Proven
Probable
Proven 
Probable
Proven
Probable
Proven
Probable

6.1
4.2
4.0
3.1
1.8
1.8
0.6
0.4
7.0
2.1
4.2
2.2
1.7
0.8

Totals(i)

Proven + Probable

39.9

MINERAL RESOURCES—MEASURED AND INDICATED 

188
177
153
177
399
383
138
136
88
89
144
135
449
380

184

36.8
24.1
19.8
17.4
22.5
21.6
2.5
1.7
19.7
6.01
19.6
9.6
24.1
10.0

235.3

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.44
0.41
0.82
0.77
0.28
0.52
2.17
2.13
N/A
N/A

0.96

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.6
23.4
14.6
9.5
63.8
35.0
295.4
151.2
N/A
N/A

617.6

LOCATION

TYPE

CLASSIFICATION

TONNES (Mt)

Ag (g/t)

Ag Cont (Moz)

Au (g/t) Au Cont (000’s oz)

Huaron 

Peru

Morococha (92.2%)

Peru

La Colorada

Mexico

Quiruvilca

Peru

Silver Stockpiles 
Alamo Dorado

Peru
Mexico

Manantial Espejo

Argentina

San Vicente (95%)

Bolivia

Navidad

Argentina

Pico Machay

Peru

Calcatreu

Totals(i)

Argentina

Vein
Vein
Vein/Mantos
Vein /Mantos
Vein
Vein
Vein
Vein
Flux Material
Disseminated
Disseminated
Vein
Vein
Vein
Vein
Mantos, Diss.
Mantos, Diss. 
Disseminated
Disseminated
Vein

Measured 
Indicated
Measured 
Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured
Measured 
Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Indicated

Measured + 
Indicated

MINERAL RESOURCES—INFERRED 

1.0
0.7
1.4
2.1
0.2
1.0
0.3
0.3
0.2
1.0
2.1
2.2
3.7
0.4
0.2
15.4
139.8
4.7
5.9
8.0

190.6

157
157
142
173
194
370
121
120
318
49
82
98
85
120
112
137
126
N/A
N/A
26

122

4.8
3.6
5.6
11.6
1.0
12.3
1.0
1.1
1.9
1.7
5.5
7.0
10.1
1.7
0.8
67.8
564.5
N/A
N/A
6.6

708.8

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.18
0.39
0.44
0.37
N/A
0.22
0.35
1.16
1.01
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.91
0.67
2.63

1.26

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
12.9
3.5
3.5
N/A
7.4
23.5
83.6
119.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
137.5
127.1 
676.0

1,195.8

LOCATION

TYPE

CLASSIFICATION

TONNES (Mt)

Ag (g/t)

Ag Cont (Moz)

Au (g/t) Au Cont (000’s oz)

Huaron 
Morococha (92.2%)
La Colorada
Quiruvilca
Alamo Dorado
Manantial Espejo
San Vicente (95%)
Navidad
Pico Machay

Calcatreu
Totals(i)

Peru
Peru
Mexico
Peru
Mexico
Argentina
Bolivia
Argentina
Peru

Argentina

Vein
Vein/Mantos
Vein
Vein
Disseminated
Vein
Vein
Mantos, Diss.
Disseminated

Vein

Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 
Inferred 

Inferred 

Inferred

HISTORICAL ESTIMATES

7.1
7.5
3.4
1.4
0.4
1.6
2.8
45.9
23.9

3.4

97.3

176
159
275
109
57
89
353
81
N/A

17

115

40.0
38.2
30.1
4.7
0.7
4.6
32.2
119.4
NA

1.8

271.7

N/A
N/A
0.28
0.59
0.91
1.07
N/A
N/A
0.58

2.06

0.73

N/A
N/A
31.1
25.7
11.1
54.7
N/A
N/A
445.7

226.0

794.4

LOCATION

UNCLASSIFIED

TONNES (Mt)

Ag (g/t)

Ag Cont (Moz)

Au (g/t)

Au Cont (000’s oz)

Hog Heaven(ii)
Hog Heaven(ii)
Waterloo(iii)
Totals(i)

USA
USA
USA

Historical
Historical
Historical 
Historical

2.7
7.6
33.8
44.1

167
133
93
104

14.6
32.7
100.9
148.2

0.62
0.70
N/A
0.68

53.9
171.9
N/A
225.8

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

51

information  prepared  by  or  under  the  supervision  of  a  QP.  
These historical estimates should not be relied upon.

The Company believes that the historical estimate category of 
"Proven Reserves" for Hog Heaven most closely corresponds 
to  2,705,000  tonnes  in  the  CIM  definition  category  of 
"Indicated Mineral Resources".

The Company believes that the historical estimate categories 
of "Proven & Possible Reserves", "heap leach ore stockpile", 
"Possible Resources" and "Inferred Resources" most closely 
correspond to 7,639,000 tonnes in the CIM definition category 
of "Inferred Mineral Resources".

(iii) The  historical  estimate  for Waterloo  was  initially  prepared 
by Asarco Inc. in 1968. In September 1994 Robert J. Rodger, 
P.Eng., reviewed the Asarco reports and prepared a Technical 
Evaluation  Report  on  the  Waterloo  property,  prior  to  the 
implementation  of  NI  43-101.  The  Technical  Evaluation 
Report confirmed that the historical estimate was based on 
reverse circulation drilling and underground sampling, and 
concluded the estimate was based on sound methodology. 
The  historical  estimate  at  Waterloo  was  prepared  using  a 
silver price of $5.00 per ounce (the relevant price at the time 
of the estimate). Michael Steinmann, P. Geo., has reviewed 
the  Technical  Evaluation  Report  and  believes  the  historic 
estimate  was  conducted  in  a  professional  and  competent 
manner  and  is  relevant  for  purposes  of  the  Company's 
decision to maintain its interest in the property. The Company 
believes  that  the  historical  estimate  category  of  37,235,000 
tons  (at  2.71  ounces  per  ton  silver)  of  "Measured  and 
Indicated Reserves" most closely corresponds to 33,758,000 
tonnes in the CIM definition category of "Indicated Mineral 
Resource."  However,  the  Company  has  not  completed  the 
work necessary to verify the historical estimate. Accordingly, 
the  Company  is  not  treating  the  historical  estimate  as  NI 
43-101 compliant categories of Mineral Resources based on 
information  prepared  by  or  under  the  supervision  of  a  QP. 
These historical estimates should not be relied upon.

TECHNICAL INfORMATION

Michael Steinmann, P.GEO., Executive VP Geology & Exploration, 
and  Martin  Wafforn,  P.ENG.,  VP  Technical  Services,  each  of 
whom are qualified persons, as the term is defined in National 
Instrument 43-101 “NI 43-101”, have reviewed and approved the 
contents of this Management Discussion & Analysis.

NOTES: 
Mineral  Reserves  and  Resources  are  as  defined  by  Canadian 
Institute of Mining Guidelines. 

Mineral Resources do not have demonstrated economic viability. 

This table illustrates Pan American Silver Corp’s share of Mineral 
Reserves  and  Resources.  Properties  in  which  Pan  American 
Silver has less than 100% interest are noted next to the property 
name. 

Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates for Huaron, Quiruvilca, 
San  Vicente,  La  Colorada,  Manantial  Espejo,  Alamo  Dorado 
and  Morococha  were  prepared  under  the  supervision  of 
Michael  Steinmann,  P.  Geo.,  Executive Vice-President  Geology 
&  Exploration  and  Martin  G.  Wafforn,  P.  Eng.,  Vice-President 
Technical Services as Qualified Persons as that term is defined 
in  NI  43-101.  Navidad  Resource  estimates  were  prepared  by 
Pamela De Mark, P. Geo. Director of Resources. 

Metal  prices  used  for  all  Mines: Ag:  $25/oz, Au:  $1,350/oz,  Pb: 
$1,850/tonne, Cu: $6,500/tonne, Zn $1,750/tonne.

Metal prices used for Navidad were Ag: $12.52/oz and Pb: $1,100/
tonne.

Metal prices used for Calcatreu were Ag: $12.50/oz and Au: $650/
oz.

(i)  Totals may not add-up due to rounding. 

(ii)  The  historical  estimate  for  Hog  Heaven  was  prepared  by 
Gregory  Hahn,  Chief  Geological  Engineer  for  CoCa  Mines 
Inc., a previous owner of the property, in a report titled “Hog 
Heaven  Project  Optimization  Study”  dated  May  1989,  prior 
to implementation of NI 43-101. The historical estimate was 
based  on  extensive  diamond  drilling,  and  was  estimated 
using  a  silver  price  of  $6.50  per  ounce  and  a  gold  price  of 
$400  per  ounce  (these  were  relevant  prices  at  the  time  of 
the  estimate).  Michael  Steinmann,  P.Geo,  has  reviewed  the 
available  data,  including  drill  sections,  surface  maps,  and 
additional supporting information sources, and believes that 
the  historic  estimate  was  conducted  in  a  professional  and 
competent  manner  and  is  relevant  for  the  purposes  of  the 
Company's decision to maintain its interest in this property. 
In  the  study,  the  historic  estimate  was  sub-categorized  as 
follows:

CATEGORY

TONS

Proven Reserves

2,981,690

Probable & Possible Reserves

904,200

Heap leach ore

Possible resources

Inferred resources

316,100

4,500,000

2,700,000

oz/ton 
Ag

oz/ton 
Au

4.88

10.40

1.56

2.41

4.44

0.018

0.020

0.014

0.020

0.022

However,  the  Company  has  not  completed  the  work 
necessary  to  verify  the  historical  estimate.  Accordingly, 
the  Company  is  not  treating  the  historical  estimate  as  NI 
43-101-compliant categories of Mineral Resources based on 

52

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING fORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

CERTAIN  OF  THE  STATEMENTS  AND 

INFORMATION 

IN  THIS  MD&A 

COMPANY HAS MADE ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES BASED ON OR RELATED 

CONSTITUTE  “FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS”  WITHIN  THE  MEANING 

TO MANY OF THESE FACTORS.  SUCH FACTORS INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION: 

OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  PRIVATE  SECURITIES  LITIGATION  REFORM  ACT 

FLUCTUATIONS IN SPOT AND FORWARD MARKETS FOR SILVER, GOLD, BASE 

OF  1995  AND  “FORWARD-LOOKING  INFORMATION”  WITHIN  THE  MEANING 

METALS AND CERTAIN OTHER COMMODITIES (SUCH AS NATURAL GAS, FUEL 

OF  APPLICABLE  CANADIAN  PROVINCIAL  SECURITIES  LAWS  RELATING  TO 

OIL  AND  ELECTRICITY);  FLUCTUATIONS  IN  CURRENCY  MARKETS  (SUCH  AS 

THE  COMPANY  AND  ITS  OPERATIONS.  ALL  STATEMENTS,  OTHER  THAN 

THE PERUVIAN SOL, MEXICAN PESO, ARGENTINE PESO, BOLIVIAN BOLIVIANO 

STATEMENTS  OF  HISTORICAL  FACT,  ARE  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS.  

AND  CANADIAN  DOLLAR VERSUS THE  U.S.  DOLLAR);  RISKS  RELATED TO THE 

WHEN  USED  IN THIS  MD&A THE WORDS, “BELIEVES”, “EXPECTS”, “INTENDS”, 

TECHNOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL NATURE OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS; 

“PLANS”, “FORECAST”, “OBJECTIVE”, “OUTLOOK”, “POSITIONING”, “POTENTIAL”, 

CHANGES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATION, TAXATION, 

“ANTICIPATED”, “BUDGET”, AND  OTHER  SIMILAR WORDS AND  EXPRESSIONS, 

CONTROLS OR REGULATIONS AND  POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS 

IDENTIFY  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  OR 

INFORMATION. 

  THESE 

IN  CANADA, THE  UNITED  STATES,  MEXICO,  PERU,  ARGENTINA,  BOLIVIA  OR 

FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  OR  INFORMATION  RELATE  TO,  AMONG 

OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE COMPANY MAY CARRY ON BUSINESS IN THE 

OTHER THINGS: FUTURE PRODUCTION OF SILVER, GOLD AND OTHER METALS; 

FUTURE; RISKS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUSINESS OF MINERAL 

FUTURE  CASH  COSTS  PER  OUNCE  OF  SILVER; THE  PRICE  OF  SILVER  AND 

EXPLORATION,  DEVELOPMENT  AND  MINING  (INCLUDING  ENVIRONMENTAL 

OTHER  METALS; THE  EFFECTS  OF  LAWS,  REGULATIONS AND  GOVERNMENT 

HAZARDS, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, UNUSUAL OR UNEXPECTED GEOLOGICAL 

POLICIES AFFECTING PAN AMERICAN’S OPERATIONS OR POTENTIAL FUTURE 

OR  STRUCTURAL  FORMATIONS,  PRESSURES,  CAVE-INS  AND  FLOODING); 

OPERATIONS,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED TO,  LAWS  IN THE  PROVINCE  OF 

RISKS RELATING TO THE CREDIT WORTHINESS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION OF 

CHUBUT, ARGENTINA, WHICH, CURRENTLY HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS 

SUPPLIERS, REFINERS AND OTHER PARTIES WITH WHOM THE COMPANY DOES 

ON MINING; FUTURE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAVIDAD PROJECT, 

BUSINESS; INADEQUATE INSURANCE, OR INABILITY TO OBTAIN INSURANCE, TO 

THE  LA  PRECIOSA  PROJECT,  AND  OTHER  DEVELOPMENT  PROJECTS  OF 

COVER THESE RISKS AND HAZARDS; EMPLOYEE RELATIONS; RELATIONSHIPS 

THE  COMPANY; THE  SUFFICIENCY  OF THE  COMPANY’S  CURRENT  WORKING 

WITH AND CLAIMS BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS; 

CAPITAL,  ANTICIPATED  OPERATING  CASH  FLOW  OR  ITS  ABILITY  TO  RAISE 

AVAILABILITY  AND  INCREASING  COSTS  ASSOCIATED  WITH  MINING  INPUTS 

NECESSARY  FUNDS; THE ACCURACY  OF  MINERAL  RESERVE AND  RESOURCE 

AND  LABOUR; THE  SPECULATIVE  NATURE  OF  MINERAL  EXPLORATION  AND 

ESTIMATES;  ESTIMATED  PRODUCTION  RATES  FOR  SILVER  AND  OTHER 

DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE RISKS OF OBTAINING NECESSARY LICENSES 

PAYABLE METALS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; TIMING OF PRODUCTION AND 

AND  PERMITS AND THE  PRESENCE  OF  LAWS AND  REGULATIONS THAT  MAY 

THE CASH AND TOTAL COSTS OF PRODUCTION AT EACH OF THE COMPANY’S 

IMPOSE  RESTRICTIONS  ON  MINING,  INCLUDING THOSE  CURRENTLY  IN THE 

PROPERTIES;  THE  ESTIMATED  COST  OF  AND  AVAILABILITY  OF  FUNDING 

PROVINCE  OF  CHUBUT,  ARGENTINA;  DIMINISHING  QUANTITIES  OR  GRADES 

NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINING CAPITAL; ONGOING OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 

OF  MINERAL  RESERVES  AS  PROPERTIES  ARE  MINED;  GLOBAL  FINANCIAL 

PLANS  AND  CAPITAL  REPLACEMENT, 

IMPROVEMENT  OR  REMEDIATION 

CONDITIONS; THE  COMPANY’S  ABILITY TO  COMPLETE  AND  SUCCESSFULLY 

PROGRAMS; THE  ABILITY  OF THE  COMPANY TO  REDUCE  ENVIRONMENTAL 

INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS AND TO MITIGATE OTHER BUSINESS COMBINATION 

IMPACTS,  INCLUDING  A  REDUCTION  IN  GREENHOUSE  GAS  EMISSIONS, 

RISKS;  CHALLENGES TO,  OR  DIFFICULTY  IN  MAINTAINING, THE  COMPANY’S 

AND TO  IMPROVE  SUSTAINABILITY  IN  ITS  OPERATIONS AND  PROJECTS; THE 

TITLE TO  PROPERTIES  AND  CONTINUED  OWNERSHIP THEREOF; THE  ACTUAL 

ESTIMATES  OF  EXPECTED  OR ANTICIPATED  ECONOMIC  RETURNS  FROM THE 

RESULTS  OF  CURRENT  EXPLORATION  ACTIVITIES,  CONCLUSIONS  OF 

COMPANY’S  MINING  PROJECTS, AS  REFLECTED  IN TECHNICAL  REPORTS  OR 

ECONOMIC  EVALUATIONS,  AND  CHANGES  IN  PROJECT  PARAMETERS  TO 

OTHER ANALYSES  PREPARED  IN  RELATION TO  DEVELOPMENT  OF  PROJECTS; 

DEAL  WITH  UNANTICIPATED  ECONOMIC  OR  OTHER  FACTORS;  INCREASED 

ESTIMATED  EXPLORATION  EXPENDITURES  TO  BE 

INCURRED  ON  THE 

COMPETITION  IN  THE  MINING  INDUSTRY  FOR  PROPERTIES,  EQUIPMENT, 

COMPANY’S VARIOUS PROPERTIES; FORECAST CAPITAL AND NON-OPERATING 

QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, AND THEIR COSTS; AND THOSE FACTORS IDENTIFIED 

SPENDING;  FUTURE  SALES  OF  THE  METALS,  CONCENTRATES  OR  OTHER 

UNDER THE CAPTION “RISKS RELATED TO PAN AMERICAN’S BUSINESS” IN THE 

PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; AND THE COMPANY’S PLANS AND 

COMPANY’S  MOST  RECENT  FORM  40-F  AND  ANNUAL  INFORMATION  FORM 

EXPECTATIONS FOR ITS PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONS. 

FILED WITH THE  UNITED  STATES  SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION 

AND  CANADIAN  PROVINCIAL  SECURITIES  REGULATORY  AUTHORITIES.  

THESE  STATEMENTS  REFLECT  THE  COMPANY’S  CURRENT  VIEWS  WITH 

INVESTORS ARE  CAUTIONED AGAINST ATTRIBUTING  UNDUE  CERTAINTY  OR 

RESPECT  TO  FUTURE  EVENTS  AND  ARE  NECESSARILY  BASED  UPON  A 

RELIANCE  ON  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS. ALTHOUGH THE  COMPANY 

NUMBER  OF  ASSUMPTIONS  AND  ESTIMATES  THAT,  WHILE  CONSIDERED 

HAS  ATTEMPTED  TO  IDENTIFY  IMPORTANT  FACTORS  THAT  COULD  CAUSE 

REASONABLE BY THE COMPANY, ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT 

ACTUAL  RESULTS TO  DIFFER  MATERIALLY, THERE  MAY  BE  OTHER  FACTORS 

BUSINESS, ECONOMIC, COMPETITIVE, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UNCERTAINTIES 

THAT  CAUSE  RESULTS  NOT TO  BE AS ANTICIPATED,  ESTIMATED,  DESCRIBED 

AND  CONTINGENCIES.    MANY  FACTORS,  BOTH  KNOWN  AND  UNKNOWN, 

OR INTENDED.  THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND, AND DOES NOT ASSUME 

COULD  CAUSE  ACTUAL  RESULTS,  PERFORMANCE  OR  ACHIEVEMENTS 

ANY  OBLIGATION, TO  UPDATE THESE  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  OR 

TO  BE  MATERIALLY  DIFFERENT  FROM  THE  RESULTS,  PERFORMANCE  OR 

INFORMATION  TO  REFLECT  CHANGES  IN  ASSUMPTIONS  OR  CHANGES  IN 

ACHIEVEMENTS THAT  ARE  OR  MAY  BE  EXPRESSED  OR  IMPLIED  BY  SUCH 

CIRCUMSTANCES OR ANY OTHER EVENTS AFFECTING SUCH STATEMENTS OR 

FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  CONTAINED  IN  THIS  MD&A  AND  THE 

INFORMATION, OTHER THAN AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

53

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US INVESTORS CONCERNING ESTIMATES Of RESERVES 
AND RESOURCES

THIS  MD&A  HAS  BEEN  PREPARED 

IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE 

MINERALIZATION  COULD  BE  ECONOMICALLY  AND  LEGALLY  PRODUCED 

REQUIREMENTS  OF  CANADIAN  PROVINCIAL  SECURITIES  LAWS,  WHICH 

OR  EXTRACTED  AT THE TIME THE  RESERVE  DETERMINATION  IS  MADE. 

DIFFER  FROM THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  U.S.  SECURITIES  LAWS.  UNLESS 

U.S.  INVESTORS  ARE  CAUTIONED  NOT TO  ASSUME THAT  ANY  PART  OF 

OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES 

A  “MEASURED  RESOURCE”  OR  “INDICATED  RESOURCE”  WILL  EVER 

INCLUDED  IN THIS  MD&A  HAVE  BEEN  PREPARED  IN  ACCORDANCE WITH 

BE  CONVERTED  INTO  A  “RESERVE”.  U.S.  INVESTORS  SHOULD  ALSO 

CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 – STANDARDS OF DISCLOSURE 

UNDERSTAND THAT  “INFERRED  RESOURCES”  HAVE  A  GREAT  AMOUNT 

FOR MINERAL PROJECTS (‘‘NI 43-101’’) AND THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF 

OF UNCERTAINTY AS TO THEIR EXISTENCE AND GREAT UNCERTAINTY AS 

MINING, METALLURGY AND PETROLEUM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. NI 43-

TO THEIR  ECONOMIC AND  LEGAL  FEASIBILITY.  IT  CANNOT  BE ASSUMED 

101 IS A RULE DEVELOPED BY THE CANADIAN SECURITIES ADMINISTRATORS 

THAT  ALL  OR  ANY  PART  OF  “INFERRED  RESOURCES”  EXIST,  ARE 

THAT ESTABLISHES STANDARDS FOR ALL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AN ISSUER 

ECONOMICALLY OR LEGALLY MINEABLE OR WILL EVER BE UPGRADED TO 

MAKES  OF  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNICAL  INFORMATION  CONCERNING 

A HIGHER CATEGORY. UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS, ESTIMATED 

MINERAL PROJECTS. 

“INFERRED  RESOURCES”  MAY  NOT  FORM  THE  BASIS  OF  FEASIBILITY 

OR  PRE-FEASIBILITY  STUDIES  EXCEPT  IN  RARE  CASES.  DISCLOSURE 

CANADIAN  STANDARDS,  INCLUDING  NI  43-101,  DIFFER  SIGNIFICANTLY 

OF  “CONTAINED  OUNCES”  IN  A  MINERAL  RESOURCE  IS  PERMITTED 

FROM  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  SECURITIES  AND 

DISCLOSURE  UNDER  CANADIAN  SECURITIES  LAWS.  HOWEVER, THE  SEC 

EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”), AND INFORMATION CONCERNING 

NORMALLY  ONLY  PERMITS  ISSUERS TO  REPORT  MINERALIZATION THAT 

MINERALIZATION,  DEPOSITS,  MINERAL  RESERVE  AND  RESOURCE 

DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE “RESERVES”  BY  SEC  STANDARDS AS  IN  PLACE 

INFORMATION  CONTAINED  OR  REFERRED  TO  HEREIN  MAY  NOT  BE 

TONNAGE AND  GRADE, WITHOUT  REFERENCE TO  UNIT  MEASURES. THE 

COMPARABLE TO SIMILAR INFORMATION DISCLOSED BY U.S. COMPANIES. 

REQUIREMENTS  OF  NI  43-101  FOR  IDENTIFICATION  OF “RESERVES” ARE 

IN  PARTICULAR,  AND  WITHOUT  LIMITING  THE  GENERALITY  OF  THE 

ALSO NOT THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE SEC, AND RESERVES REPORTED 

FOREGOING, THIS  MD&A  USES THE TERMS  ‘‘MEASURED  RESOURCES’’, 

BY THE COMPANY IN COMPLIANCE WITH NI 43-101 MAY NOT QUALIFY AS 

‘‘INDICATED RESOURCES’’ AND ‘‘INFERRED RESOURCES’’. U.S. INVESTORS 

“RESERVES”  UNDER  SEC  STANDARDS.  ACCORDINGLY,  INFORMATION 

ARE ADVISED THAT, WHILE SUCH TERMS ARE RECOGNIZED AND REQUIRED 

CONCERNING  MINERAL  DEPOSITS  SET  FORTH  HEREIN  MAY  NOT  BE 

BY CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS, THE SEC DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THEM. 

COMPARABLE  WITH  INFORMATION  MADE  PUBLIC  BY  COMPANIES THAT 

UNDER U.S. STANDARDS, MINERALIZATION MAY NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS 

REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. STANDARDS.

A  ‘‘RESERVE’’  UNLESS THE  DETERMINATION  HAS  BEEN  MADE THAT THE 

54

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER fINANCIAL REPORTING
The  accompanying  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  Pan  American  Silver  Corp.  were  prepared  by  management,  which  is 
responsible  for  the  integrity  and  fairness  of  the  information  presented,  including  the  many  amounts  that  must  of  necessity  be 
based on estimates and judgments. These Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Financial information appearing throughout our management’s discussion and analysis is 
consistent with these Consolidated Financial Statements.

In  discharging  our  responsibility  for  the  integrity  and  fairness  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  for  the  accounting 
systems from which they are derived, we maintain the necessary system of internal controls designed to ensure that transactions 
are  authorized,  assets  are  safeguarded  and  proper  records  are  maintained. These  controls  include  quality  standards  in  hiring 
employees, policies and procedure manuals, a corporate code of conduct and accountability for performance within appropriate 
and well-defined areas of responsibility.

The  Board  of  Directors  oversees  management’s  responsibilities  for  financial  reporting  through  an  Audit  Committee,  which  is 
composed  entirely  of  directors  who  are  neither  officers  nor  employees  of  Pan  American  Silver  Corp. This  Committee  reviews 
our  consolidated  financial  statements  and  recommends  them  to  the  Board  for  approval.  Other  key  responsibilities  of  the Audit 
Committee include reviewing our existing internal control procedures and planned revisions to those procedures, and advising the 
directors on auditing matters and financial reporting issues.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Chartered Accountants appointed by the shareholders of Pan American Silver Corp. 
upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and Board, have performed an independent audit of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and their report follows. The auditors have full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee to discuss their audit and 
related findings.

"Signed" 

Geoff A. Burns 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

March 21, 2012

"Signed"

A. Robert Doyle 
Chief Financial Officer

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

55

 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
2800—1055 Dunsmuir St. 
4 Bentall Centre 
P.O. Box 49279 
Vancouver, British Columbia 
Canada V7X 1P4

T.  604 699 4466 
www.deloitte.ca

REPORT Of INDEPENDENT REGISTERED 
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Pan American Silver Corp.

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Pan American Silver Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 
31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting 
and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report 
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audit.

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States). Those 
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial 
reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, 
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based 
on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit 
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive 
and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and 
other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements 
for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting 
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect 
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary 
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures 
of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management 
override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of 
any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls 
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, 
based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission.

We  have  also  audited,  in  accordance  with  Canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  and  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company 
Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2011 of the 
Company and our report dated March 21, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
March 21, 2012
Vancouver, Canada

56

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Deloitte & Touche LLP
2800—1055 Dunsmuir St. 
4 Bentall Centre 
P.O. Box 49279 
Vancouver, British Columbia 
Canada V7X 1P4

T.  604 699 4466 
www.deloitte.ca

REPORT Of INDEPENDENT REGISTERED  
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Pan American Silver Corp.

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Pan American  Silver  Corp.  and  subsidiaries  (the “Company”), 
which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010, and the 
consolidated income statements, statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 
2011 and December 31, 2010, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. 

Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such internal control 
as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits 
in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement 
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal 
control  relevant  to  the  entity's  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  order  to  design  audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies 
used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  presentation  of  the 
consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.  

Opinion
In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  Pan American 
Silver Corp. and subsidiaries as at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 and their financial performance and cash 
flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Other Matter
We  have  also  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States),  the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — 
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 
21, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
March 21, 2012
Vancouver, Canada

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

57

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS Of fINANCIAL POSITION
As at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash

Short-term investments (Note 5)

Trade and other receivables  (Note 4)

Income taxes receivable

Inventories (Note 6)

Derivative financial instruments 

Prepaids and other current assets

Non-current assets

December 31, 2011

December 31, 2010

January 1, 2010

$

262,901

$

179,921

$

228,321

103,433

2,542

135,696

-

9,343

742,236

180,583

66,893

87

106,854

-

6,520

540,858

100,474

92,623

66,059

12,132

93,446

160

2,568

367,462

Mineral property, plant and equipment, net (Note 7)

1,189,708

1,161,323

1,177,076

Long-term refundable tax

Deferred tax assets (Note 20)

Other assets (Note 8)

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 9)

Provisions (Note 10)

Current portion of finance lease (Note 11)

Current income tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Provisions (Note 10)

Deferred tax liabilities (Note 20)

Share purchase warrants (Note 13) 

Long-term portion of finance lease (Note 11)

Other long-term liabilities (Note 12)

Total liabilities

EQUITY

Capital and reserves (Note 13)

Issued capital 

Share option reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

$

$ 

10,253

4,170

5,429

28,171

6,826

1,618

11,909

7,351

6,521

1,951,796

$

1,738,796

$

1,570,319

78,258

$

77,662

$

2,341

20,841

74,366

175,806

59,052

54,919

23,651

10,824

25,457

349,709

3,450

118

29,699

110,929

74,016

49,804

127,890

5,360

20,788

388,787

90,591

4,948

620

4,021

100,180

57,273

33,872

43,919

-

20,788

256,032

1,243,241

1,276,887

1,206,647

8,631

2,146

339,821

1,593,839

8,248

1,602,087

7,022

7,698

49,751

1,341,358

8,651

1,350,009

$

1,951,796

$

1,738,796

$

6,349

1,452

83,875

1,298,323

15,964

1,314,287

1,570,319

APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON MARCH 21, 2012

Signed 

Signed 

58

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Ross J. Beaty, Director

Geoff A. Burns, Director

 
 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS  
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

Revenue (Note 18)

Production Costs (Note 14)

Depreciation and amortization

Royalties

Mine operating earnings

General and administrative

Exploration and project development

Doubtful accounts provision

Foreign exchange (losses) gains

Gain (loss) on commodity and foreign currency contracts

Gain on sale of assets

Other income (Note 19)

Earnings from operations 

Gain (loss) on derivatives (Note 13)

Investment income

Interest and finance expense

Earnings before income taxes

Income taxes (Note 20)

Net earnings for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (Note 16)

Basic income per share 

Diluted income per share

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000’s) Basic

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000’s) Diluted

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

Net earnings for the year

Unrealized net (losses) gains on available for sale securities (net of zero dollars tax)

Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in earnings

2011

$

855,275

2010

$ 646,553

(341,363)

(82,756)

(22,031)

409,125

(18,291)

(27,727)

-

(8,126)

681

1,190

15,728

372,580

101,828

3,055

  (6,199)

471,264

(117,118)

(307,787)

(83,084)

(14,567)

241,115

(17,109)

(24,527)

(4,754)

1,686

(237)

651

4,527

201,352

(90,661)

961

(5,730)

105,922

(90,215)

$

354,146

$

15,707

$

$

$

$

352,494

1,652

354,146

3.31

3.31

106,434

106,598

2011

$

354,146

(3,979)

(1,573)

13,711

1,996

$

15,707

$

$

0.13

0.13

106,969

107,277

2010

$

15,707

6,544

(298)

Total comprehensive income for the year

$

348,594

$

21,953

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

$

346,942

$

19,957

1,652

1,996

$

348,594

$

21,953

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

59

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS Of CASH fLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net earnings for the year

Current income tax expense (Note 20)

Deferred income tax provision (Note 20)

Depreciation and amortization

Accretion on closure and decommissioning provision

Unrealized gain on foreign exchange

Doubtful account provision

Stock-based compensation expense

Unrealized (gain) loss  on commodity contracts

(Gain) /loss on derivatives

Gain on sale of assets

Changes in non-cash operating working capital (Note 17)

Operating cash flows before  interest and income taxes

Interest paid

Interest received

Income taxes paid

Net cash generated from operating activities 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Payments for mineral  property, plant and equipment

Net purchases of short term investments

Proceeds from sale of mineral property, plant and equipment

Net refundable tax and other asset expenditures

Net cash used in investing activities

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from issue of equity shares

Shares repurchased and cancelled (Note 13)

Advances on working capital

Dividends paid

Net contributions/(distributions) from non-controlling interests

Net cash used in financing activities

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash

Net increase in cash

Cash at the beginning of the year

Cash at the end of the year

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

60

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2011

2010

$

354,146

$

15,707

109,347

7,771

82,756

3,268

(1,071)

-

3,502

-

(101,828)

(1,190)

(39,435)

417,266

(557)

1,482

(58,736)

359,455

(123,579)

(51,071)

1,297

(3,915)

73,758

16,457

83,084

3,668

(624)

4,754

4,028

160

90,661

(651)

(12,622)

278,380

(137)

664

(36,651)

242,256

(78,010)

(80,162)

1,337

(3,922)

(177,268)

(160,757)

4,453

(94,034)

(10,732)

904

(99,409)

202

82,980

179,921

11,887

-

(5,630)

(8,026)

(992)

(2,761)

709

79,447

100,474

$

262,901

$

179,921

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS Of CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for numbers of shares)

ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

ISSUED 
SHARES

ISSUED 
CAPITAL

SHARE 
OPTION 
RESERVE

INVESTMENT 
REVALUATION   
RESERVE

RETAINED 
EARNINGS

TOTAL

NON-
CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS

TOTAL
EQUITY

Balance, January 1, 2010

105,117,120

$ 1,206,647

$

6,349

$

1,452

$

83,875

$ 1,298,323

$

15,964

$

1,314,287

Total comprehensive income

Net earnings for the year

Other comprehensive income

Issued on the exercise  
of stock options

Issued as compensation

-

-

-

-

-

-

450,587

76,918

9,003

2,490

Issued on the exercise of warrants

399,005

15,215

Issued to acquire non-controlling 
interest of Aquiline Resources Inc.

1,747,738

43,532

Other decreases in non-controlling 
interests

Distributions by subsidiaries to 
non-controlling interests

Stock-based compensation on  
option grants

Dividends declared

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,655)

-

-

-

-

-

2,328

-

Total comprehensive income

Net earnings for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Issued on the exercise of stock 
options

Issued as compensation

-

-

-

90,093

53,721

Issued on the exercise of warrants

139,761

-

-

-

2,692

1,329

4,675

Shares repurchased and cancelled

(3,582,200)

(42,342)

Distributions by subsidiaries to 
non-controlling interests

Stock-based compensation on  
option grants

Dividends declared

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(503)

-

-

-

-

2,112

-

-

13,711

6,246

6,246

-

13,711

13,711

6,246

19,957

7,348

2,490

15,215

1,996

-

1,996

-

-

-

15,707

6,246

21,953

7,348

2,490

15,215

(39,809)

3,723

(7,709)

(3,986)

-

-

-

(8,026)

-

-

2,328

(8,026)

(608)

(608)

(992)

(992)

-

-

2,328

(8,026)

-

352,494

352,494

1,652

354,146

(5,552)

-

(5,552)

-

(5,552)

(5,552)

352,494

346,942

1,652

348,594

-

-

-

2,189

1,329

4,675

(51,692)

  (94,034)

-

-

-

-

2,189

1,329

4,675

(94,034)

-

(2,055)

(2,055)

2,112

(10,732)

(10,732)

-

-

2,112

(10,732)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance, December 31, 2010

107,791,368

$ 1,276,887

$

7,022

$

7,698

$

49,751

$ 1,341,358

$

8,651

$

1,350,009

Balance, December 31, 2011

104,492,743

$ 1,243,241

$

8,631

$

2,146

$

339,821

$ 1,593,839

$

8,248

$

1,602,087

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

61

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED fINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, January 1, 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 
(Tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

1.  NATURE Of OPERATIONS

Pan American Silver Corp. is the ultimate parent company of its subsidiary group (collectively, the “Company”, or “Pan American”).  
The Company is incorporated and domiciled in Canada, and its registered office is at Suite 1500 – 625 Howe Street, Vancouver, British 
Columbia, V6C 2T6.

The Company is engaged in the production and sale of silver, gold and other base metals including copper, lead and zinc as well as 
other related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing, refining and reclamation. The Company’s primary product (silver) 
is produced in Peru, Mexico, Argentina and Bolivia. Additionally, the Company has project development activities in Peru, Mexico and 
Argentina, and exploration activities throughout South America and Mexico.  

2.  SUMMARY Of SIGNIfICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a.  Statement of Compliance

These annual consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRS”), International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) and Interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The Company adopted IFRS in accordance with IFRS 1 – First-time adoption 
of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS 1”) with a transition date of January 1, 2010.  These consolidated financial 
statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS standards and interpretations effective as of December 31, 2011.

b.  Basis of Preparation

The Company’s accounting policies have been applied consistently in preparing these consolidated annual financial statements 
for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011,  the  comparative  information  as  at  December  31,  2010  and  the  opening  statement  of 
financial position at the date of transition. The effects of the transition to IFRS on the statements of financial position, equity, total 
comprehensive income and income statements are presented in Note 23.

c.  Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation: The financial statements consolidate the financial statements of Pan American and its subsidiaries. All 
intercompany  balances  and  transactions,  including  unrealized  profits  and  losses  arising  from  intra-company  transactions,  have 
been eliminated in full. The results of subsidiaries acquired or sold are consolidated for the periods from or to the date on which 
control passes. Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity 
so as to obtain benefits from its activities. This occurs when the Company has more than 50% voting power through ownership 
or agreements, except where minority rights are such that a minority shareholder is able to prevent the Company from exercising 
control. Where there is a loss of control of a subsidiary, the financial statements include the results for the part of the reporting 
period during which the Company has control. Subsidiaries use the same reporting period and same accounting policies as the 
Company.

For partly owned subsidiaries, the net assets and net earnings attributable to non-controlling shareholders are presented as “net earnings 
attributable to non-controlling interests” in the consolidated statement of financial position and consolidated income statement.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  wholly-owned  and  partially-owned  subsidiaries  of  the  Company,  the  most 
significant of which are presented in the following table:

SUBSIDIARY

Pan American Silver S.A. Mina Quiruvilca

Compañía Minera Argentum S.A.

Minera Corner Bay S.A. 

Plata Panamericana S.A. de C.V.

Compañía Minera Tritón S.A.

Pan American Silver (Bolivia) S.A.

Minera Argenta S.A.

LOCATION

OWNERSHIP
INTEREST

STATUS

OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT  
PROJECTS OWNED

Peru

Peru

Mexico

Mexico

Argentina

Bolivia

Argentina

100%

92%

100%

100%

100%

95%

100%

Consolidated

Huaron Mine/Quiruvilca Mine

Consolidated

Morococha Mine

Consolidated

Alamo Dorado Mine

Consolidated

La Colorada Mine

Consolidated

Manantial Espejo Mine

Consolidated

San Vicente Mine

Consolidated

Navidad Project

62

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Associates:  An  associate  is  an  entity  over  which  the  investor 
has  significant  influence  but  not  control  and  that  is  neither  a 
subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture. Significant influence 
is presumed to exist where the Company has between 20% and 
50% of the voting rights, but can also arise where the Company 
has less than 20%, if the Company has the power to be actively 
involved  and  influential  in  policy  decisions  affecting  the  entity.  
The Company’s share of the net assets and net earnings or loss is 
accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the 
equity method of accounting. 

Basis of measurement: These consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for derivative 
financial  instruments,  share  purchase  warrants  and  assets 
classified as at fair value through profit or loss or available-for-sale 
which are measured at fair value. Additionally, these consolidated 
financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis 
of accounting, except for cash flow information.

Currency of presentation: The consolidated financial statements 
are  presented  in  United  States  dollars  (“USD”),  which  is  the 
Company’s functional and presentation currency, and all values 
are rounded to the nearest thousand except where otherwise 
indicated.

Business combinations: Upon the acquisition of a business, the 
acquisition method of accounting is used, whereby the purchase 
consideration  is  allocated  to  the  identifiable  assets,  liabilities 
and  contingent  liabilities  (identifiable  net  assets)  acquired  on 
the  basis  of  fair  value  at  the  date  of  acquisition. When  the  cost 
of acquisition exceeds the fair values attributable to the Group’s 
share  of  the  identifiable  net  assets,  the  difference  is  treated  as 
purchased  goodwill,  which  is  not  amortised  but  is  reviewed 
for  impairment  annually  or  more  frequently  when  there  is  an 
indication  of  impairment.  If  the  fair  value  attributable  to  the 
Company’s share of the identifiable net assets exceeds the cost 
of  acquisition,  the  difference  is  immediately  recognized  in  the 
income  statement.  Acquisition  related  costs,  other  than  costs 
to  issue  debt  or  equity  securities,  of  the  acquirer,  including 
investment  banking  fees,  legal  fees,  accounting  fees,  valuation 
fees, and other professional or consulting fees are expensed as 
incurred. The costs to issue equity securities of the Company as 
consideration for the acquisition are reduced from share capital 
as  share  issuance  costs.   The  costs  to  issue  debt  securities  are 
capitalized and amortized using the effective interest method.

Control  of  a  business  may  be  achieved  in  stages.  Upon  the 
acquisition of control, any previously held interest is re-measured 
to  fair  value  at  the  date  control  is  obtained  resulting  in  a  gain 
or  loss  upon  the  acquisition  of  control.  In  addition,  any  change 
relating to interest previously recognized in other comprehensive 
income  is  reclassified  to  the  income  statement  upon  the 
acquisition of control.

Significant  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  estimates  in  the  process  of  applying  the  Company’s 
accounting  policies.  These 
judgements  and  estimates  are 
based  on  management’s  knowledge  of  the  relevant  facts  and 
circumstances, having regard to previous experience, but actual 
results  may  differ  from  the  amounts  included  in  the  financial 
statements.  

a.  Critical Judgements in the Application of Accounting  

Policies
Judgements  that  have  the  most  significant  effect  on 
the  amounts  recognized  in  the  Company’s  consolidated 
financial statements are as follows:

•	 Capitalization  of  exploration  and  evaluation  costs:  
The  Company  has  determined  that  exploration  and 
evaluation  costs  incurred  during  the  year  for  the 
respective  operating  mines,  Navidad  and  other 
exploration  interests  have  potential  future  economic 
benefits  and  are  potentially  economically  recoverable. 
In  making  this  judgement,  the  Company  has  assessed 
various  sources  of 
including  but  not 
information 
limited  to  the  geologic  and  metallurgic  information, 
history  of  conversion  of  mineral  deposits  to  proven 
and  probable  mineral  reserves,  scoping  and  feasibility 
studies,  proximity  to  existing  ore  bodies,  operating 
management  expertise  and  required  environmental, 
operating  and  other  permits.  During  the  year,  the 
Company capitalized a total of $22.3 million (2010 - $29.1 
million) of exploration expenditures. 

•	 Commencement  of  commercial/operating 

level  of 
production: During the determination of whether a mine 
has  reached  an  operating  level  that  is  consistent  with 
the  use  intended  by  management,  costs  incurred  are 
capitalized  as  mineral  property,  plant  and  equipment 
and  any  consideration  from  commissioning  sales 
are  offset  against  costs  capitalized.  The  Company 
defines  commencement  of  commercial  production  as 
the  date  that  a  mine  has  achieved  a  sustainable  level 
of  production  that  provides  a  basis  for  a  reasonable 
expectation of profitability along with various qualitative 
factors including but not limited to the achievement of 
mechanical  completion,  whether  production  levels  are 
sufficient to be at least capable of generating sustainable 
positive cash flow, the working effectiveness of the site 
refinery,  whether  a  refining  contract  for  the  product  is 
in place and whether the product is of sufficient quality 
to  be  sold,  whether  there  is  a  sustainable  level  of 
production  input  available  including  power,  water  and 
diesel;  whether  the  necessary  permits  are  in  place  to 
allow continuous operations.

•	 Assets’  carrying  values  and  impairment  charges:  In 
determining carrying values and impairment charges the 
Company looks at recoverable amounts, defined as the 
higher of value in use or fair value less cost to sell in the 
case of assets, and at objective evidence that identifies 
significant or prolonged decline of fair value on financial 
assets indicating impairment. These determinations and 
their  individual  assumptions  require  that  management 
make a decision based on the best available information 
at  each  reporting  period.  For  instance,  the  Company 
continues  to  work  in  an  open  and  informed  manner 
with the provincial government and local communities 
regarding  open  pit  mining  in  the  Central  Meseta  of 
Chubut, which is where the Company’s Navidad project 
is located, and remains confident that this approach will 
result in a change in the mining law, to allow for open 
pit  mining.  Accordingly,  this  was  used  as  a  factor  in 
the Company’s assessment of the carrying value of the 
Navidad project. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

63

 
•	 Functional  currency:  The 

functional  currency 

for 
the  Company,  its  subsidiaries  and  associates  is  the 
currency  of  the  primary  economic  environment  in 
which each operates. The Company has determined that 
its  functional  currency  and  that  of  its  subsidiaries  and 
associates  is  the  USD. The  determination  of  functional 
currency  may  require  certain  judgements  to  determine 
the  primary  economic  environment.  The  Company 
reconsiders the functional currency used when there is 
a change in events and conditions which determined the 
primary economic environment. 

•	 Business  combinations:  Determination  of  whether 
a  set  of  assets  acquired  and 
liabilities  assumed 
constitute a business may require the Company to make 
certain  judgements,  taking  into  account  all  facts  and 
circumstances. If an acquired set of assets and liabilities 
includes goodwill, the set is presumed to be a business.

•	 Deferral  of  stripping  costs:  In  determining  whether 
stripping costs incurred during the production phase of 
a mining property relate to mineral reserves and mineral 
resources  that  will  be  mined  in  a  future  period  and 
therefore should be capitalized, the Company treats the 
costs of removal of the waste material during a mine’s 
production  phase  as  deferred,  where  it  gives  rise  to 
future benefits. These capitalized costs are subsequently 
amortized in a systematic and rational manner over the 
reserves that directly benefit from the specific stripping 
activity. As at December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of 
stripping costs capitalized was $1.6 million (2010 - $nil). 

•	 Determination  of  significant  influence:  The  Company 
determines  its  ability  to  exercise  significant  influence 
over  an  investment  in  shares  of  other  companies  by 
looking  at  its  percentage  interest  and  other  qualitative 
factors including but not limited to its voting rights and, 
operating involvement. 

•	 Share  purchase  warrants: The  carrying  value  of  share 
purchase  warrants  is  at  fair  value. The  share  purchase 
warrants  are  classified  and  accounted  for  as  financial 
liabilities and, as such, are measured at their fair value 
with  changes  in  fair  value  reported  in  the  income 
statement as a gain or loss on derivatives. The Company 
utilizes  the  Black-Scholes  pricing  model  to  determine 
the fair value of the share purchase warrants as the best 
approximation  of  fair  value  given  the  warrants  are  not 
listed or publically traded. The Company uses significant 
judgement  in  the  evaluation  of  the  input  variables  in 
the  Black-Scholes  calculation  which  include:  risk  free 
interest  rate,  expected  stock  price  volatility,  expected 
life,  expected  dividend  yield  and  a  quoted  market 
price  of  the  Company’s  shares  on  the  Toronto  Stock 
Exchange.  At  December  31,  2011,  the  fair  value  of  the 
share purchase warrants was $23.7 million (2010 - $127.9 
million). Additionally, during the year ended December 
31,  2011,  there  was  a  derivative  gain  of  $101.8  million 
(2010 – derivative loss of $90.7 million).

•	 Replacement convertible debenture: As part of the 2009 
Aquiline transaction the Company issued a replacement 
convertible debenture that allowed the holder to convert 
the debenture into either 363,854 Pan American shares 
or  a  Silver  Stream  contract. The  convertible  debenture 
is  classified  and  accounted  for  as  a  deferred  credit. 

64

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

In  determining  the  appropriate  classification  of  the 
convertible debenture as a deferred credit, the Company 
evaluated  the  economics  underlying  the  contract  as 
of  the  date  the  Company  assumed  the  obligation.  
As  at  December  31,  2011,  the  carrying  amount  of 
the  convertible  debenture  arising  from  the  Aquiline 
acquisition was $20.8 million (2010 - $20.8 million).

b.  Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty in the Application 

of Accounting Policies
Key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant 
risk  of  causing  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities are:

•	 Revenue  recognition:  Revenue 

from 

the  sale  of 
concentrate to independent smelters is recorded at the 
time  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  pass  to  the 
buyer using forward market prices on the expected date 
that final sales prices will be fixed. Variations between the 
prices set under the smelting contracts may be caused 
by changes in market prices and result in an embedded 
derivative  in  the  accounts  receivable. The  embedded 
derivative  is  recorded  at  fair  value  each  period  until 
final  settlement  occurs,  with  changes  in  the  fair  value 
classified in revenue. In a period of high price volatility, 
as experienced under current economic conditions, the 
effect  of  mark-to-market  price  adjustments  related  to 
the  quantity  of  metal  which  remains  to  be  settled  with 
independent smelters could be significant. For changes 
in metal quantities upon receipt of new information and 
assay, the provisional sales quantities are adjusted. 

•	 Estimated  recoverable  ounces:  The  carrying  amounts 
of  the  Company’s  mining  properties  are  depleted 
based  on  recoverable  ounces.  Changes  to  estimates 
of  recoverable  ounces  and  depletable  costs  including 
changes resulting from revisions to the Company’s mine 
plans and changes in metal price forecasts can result in 
a change to future depletion rates.

•	 Mineral  reserve  estimates:  The  figures  for  mineral 
reserves  and  mineral 
resources  are  determined 
Instrument  43-101, 
in  accordance  with  National 
“Standards  of  Disclosure  for  Mineral  Projects”,  issued 
by  the  Canadian  Securities  Administrators. There  are 
numerous  uncertainties  inherent  in  estimating  mineral 
reserves and mineral resources, including many factors 
beyond  the  Company’s  control.  Such  estimation  is  a 
subjective  process,  and  the  accuracy  of  any  mineral 
reserve  or  mineral  resource  estimate  is  a  function  of 
the  quantity  and  quality  of  available  data  and  of  the 
assumptions made and judgements used in engineering 
interpretation.  Differences  between 
and  geological 
management’s 
economic 
assumptions 
assumptions such as metal prices and market conditions 
could  have  a  material  effect  in  the  future  on  the 
Company’s financial position and results of operation.

including 

•	 Mine  operating  costs:  In  determining  mine  operating 
costs recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement, 
the  Company  makes  estimates  of  quantities  of  ore 
stacked in stockpiles and in process and the recoverable 
silver in this material to determine the average costs of 
finished goods sold during the period. Changes in these 
estimates can result in a change in mine operating costs 
of  future  periods  and  carrying  amounts  of  inventories.  

 
At  December  31,  2011,  the  carrying  amount  of  current 
inventories excluding supplies was $99.8 million (2010 - 
$72.0 million).

•	 Depreciation and amortization rates for mineral property, 
plant and equipment and mineral interests:  Depreciation 
and  amortization  expenses  are  allocated  based  on 
assumed asset lives and depreciation and amortization 
rates.  Should  the  asset  life  or  depreciation  rate  differ 
from the initial estimate, an adjustment would be made 
in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement.    A  change  in 
the  mineral  reserve  estimate  for  assets  depreciated 
using  the  units  of  production  method  would  impact 
depreciation expense.  

•	

information. 

Impairment of mining interests: While assessing whether 
any indications of impairment exist for mining interests, 
consideration  is  given  to  both  external  and  internal 
sources  of 
Information  the  Company 
considers  include  changes  in  the  market,  economic 
and legal environment in which the Company operates 
that are not within its control and affect the recoverable 
Internal  sources  of 
interests. 
amount  of  mining 
information  include  the  manner  in  which  mineral 
property  and  plant  and  equipment  are  being  used  or 
are  expected  to  be  used  and  indications  of  economic 
performance of the assets. Estimates include but are not 
limited  to  estimates  of  the  discounted  future  after-tax 
cash flows expected to be derived from the Company’s 
mining  properties,  costs  to  sell  the  mining  properties 
and the appropriate discount rate. Reductions in metal 
price  forecasts,  increases  in  estimated  future  costs 
of  production,  increases  in  estimated  future  capital 
costs, reductions in the amount of recoverable mineral 
reserves and mineral resources and/or adverse current 
economics  can  result  in  a  write-down  of  the  carrying 
amounts of the Company’s mining interests. 

•	 Estimation  of  decommissioning  and  restoration  costs 
and  the  timing  of  expenditures: The  cost  estimates  are 
updated  annually  during  the  life  of  a  mine  to  reflect 
known  developments,  (e.g.  revisions  to  cost  estimates 
and  to  the  estimated  lives  of  operations),  and  are 
subject to review at regular intervals. Decommissioning, 
restoration  and  similar  liabilities  are  estimated  based 
on  the  Company’s  interpretation  of  current  regulatory 
requirements, 
constructive  obligations  and  are 
measured at the best estimate of expenditure required 
to  settle  the  present  obligation  of  decommissioning, 
restoration  or  similar  liabilities  that  may  occur  upon 
decommissioning of the mine at the end of the reporting 
period. The carrying amount is determined based on the 
net present value of estimated future cash expenditures 
for  the  settlement  of  decommissioning,  restoration  or 
similar liabilities that may occur upon decommissioning 
of the mine. Such estimates are subject to change based 
on  changes  in  laws  and  regulations  and  negotiations 
with  regulatory  authorities.  At  December  31,  2011,  the 
carrying  amount  of  the  Company’s  provision  for  the 
closure and decommissioning cost obligation was $55.8 
million (2010 - $71.6 million). 

•	

Income taxes and recoverability of deferred tax assets:  
In  assessing  the  probability  of  realizing  income  tax 
assets  recognized,  the  Company  makes  estimates 
income, 
related  to  expectations  of  future  taxable 

applicable  tax  planning  opportunities,  expected  timing 
of  reversals  of  existing  temporary  differences  and  the 
likelihood that tax positions taken will be sustained upon 
examination  by  applicable  tax  authorities.  In  making  its 
assessments,  the  Company  gives  additional  weight  to 
positive  and  negative  evidence  that  can  be  objectively 
verified.  Estimates  of  future  taxable  income  are  based 
on  forecasted  cash  flows  from  operations  and  the 
application  of  existing  tax  laws  in  each  jurisdiction. The 
Company  considers  relevant  tax  planning  opportunities 
that  are  within  the  Company’s  control,  are  feasible  and 
within management’s ability to implement. Examination 
by  applicable  tax  authorities  is  supported  based  on 
individual  facts  and  circumstances  of  the  relevant  tax 
position  examined  in  light  of  all  available  evidence. 
Where  applicable  tax  laws  and  regulations  are  either 
unclear  or  subject  to  ongoing  varying  interpretations,  it 
is  reasonably  possible  that  changes  in  these  estimates 
can  occur  that  materially  affect  the  amounts  of  income 
tax  assets  recognized.  Also,  future  changes  in  tax  laws 
could  limit  the  Company  from  realizing  the  tax  benefits 
from  the  deferred  tax  assets. The  Company  reassesses 
unrecognized income tax assets at each reporting period.

•	 Accounting  for  acquisitions:  The  fair  value  of  assets 
acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  and  the  resulting 
goodwill,  if  any,  requires  that  management  make 
estimates  based  on  the  information  provided  by  the 
acquiree.  Changes  to  the  provisional  values  of  assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed, deferred income taxes 
and  resulting  goodwill,  if  any,  will  be  retrospectively 
adjusted when the final measurements are determined 
(within one year of acquisition date).

•	 Contingencies:  Due to the size, complexity and nature of 
the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters 
are  outstanding  from  time  to  time.  In  the  event  the 
Company’s  estimates  of  the  future  resolution  of  these 
matters changes, the Company will recognize the effects 
of  the  changes  in  its  consolidated  financial  statements 
on the date such changes occur.

Revenue  Recognition:  Revenue  associated  with  the  sale  of 
commodities is recognized when all significant risks and rewards 
of  ownership  of  the  asset  sold  are  transferred  to  the  customer, 
usually when insurance risk and title has passed to the customer 
and the commodity has been delivered to the shipping agent. At 
this  point  the  Company  retains  neither  continuing  managerial 
involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor 
effective control over the commodities and the costs incurred, or 
to  be  incurred,  in  respect  of  the  sale  can  be  reliably  measured. 
Revenue  is  recognized,  at  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration 
receivable, to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits 
will  flow  to  the  Company  and  the  revenue  can  be  reliably 
measured.  Sales  revenue  is  recognized  at  the  fair  value  of 
consideration received, which in most cases is based on invoiced 
amounts. 

The  Company’s  concentrate  sales  contracts  with  third-party 
smelters,  in  general,  provide  for  a  provisional  payment 
based  upon  provisional  assays  and  quoted  metal  prices. 
Final  settlement  is  based  on  applicable  commodity  prices  set 
on  specified  quotational  periods,  typically  ranging  from  one 
month prior to shipment, and can extend to three months after 
the  shipment  arrives  at  the  smelter  and  is  based  on  average 
market metal prices. For this purpose, the selling price can be 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

65

measured reliably for those products, such as silver, gold, zinc, 
lead  and  copper,  for  which  there  exists  an  active  and  freely 
traded commodity market such as the London Metals Exchange 
and the value of product sold by the Company is directly linked 
to the form in which it is traded on that market.

Sales  revenue  is  commonly  subject  to  adjustment  based  on 
an  inspection  of  the  product  by  the  customer.  In  such  cases, 
sales  revenue  is  initially  recognized  on  a  provisional  basis 
using  the  Company’s  best  estimate  of  contained  metal,  and 
adjusted  subsequently.  Revenues  are  recorded  under  these 
contracts  at  the  time  title  passes  to  the  buyer  based  on  the 
expected  settlement  period.  Revenue  on  provisionally  priced 
sales is recognized based on estimates of the fair value of the 
consideration  receivable  based  on  forward  market  prices.  At 
each  reporting  date  provisionally  priced  metal  is  marked-to-
market based on the forward selling price for the quotational 
period stipulated in the contract. Variations between the price 
recorded  at  the  shipment  date  and  the  actual  final  price  set 
under  the  smelting  contracts  are  caused  by  changes  in  metal 
prices  and  result  in  an  embedded  derivative  in  the  accounts 
receivable.  The embedded derivative is recorded at fair value 
each  period  until  final  settlement  occurs,  with  the  fair  value 
adjustments recognized in revenue.  

Refining  and  treatment  charges  are  netted  against  revenue  for 
sales of metal concentrate. Sales of concentrate are stated at their 
invoiced amount which is net of treatment and refining charges.

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.

i)  fINANCIAL ASSETS

The  Company  classifies  its  financial  assets  in  the  following 
loans 
categories:  at  fair  value  through  profit  or 
and 
receivables,  available-for-sale  and  held-to-maturity 
investments.  The  classification  depends  on  the  purpose 
for  which  the  financial  assets  were  acquired.  Management 
determines  the  classification  of  financial  assets  at  initial 
recognition.

loss, 

a.  Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 

Derivatives are included in this category and are classified 
as  current  assets  or  non-current  assets  based  on  their 
maturity  date.  The  Company  does  not  acquire  financial 
assets for the purpose of selling in the short term. Financial 
assets carried at fair value through profit or loss, are initially 
recognized at fair value. The directly attributable transaction 
costs are expensed in the income statement in the period in 
which they are incurred. Subsequent changes in fair value 
are recognized in net earnings.

b.  Loans and receivables 

Loans  and  receivables  are  non-derivative  financial  assets 
with  fixed  or  determinable  payments  that  are  not  quoted 
in an active market. Loans and receivables comprise ‘trade 
and  other  receivables’,  ‘other  assets’  and  ‘cash’  in  the 
statement  of  financial  position.  Loans  and  receivables  are 
carried at amortized cost less any impairment.

c.  Available-for-sale financial assets 

Available-for-sale  financial  assets  are  non-derivatives  that 
are either specifically designated as available-for- sale or not 
classified in any of the other categories. They are included in 
non-current assets unless the Company intends to dispose 

of  the  investment  within  12  months  of  the  statement 
of  financial  position  date.  Changes  in  the  fair  value  of 
available-for-sale financial assets denominated in a currency 
other  than  the  functional  currency  of  the  holder,  other 
than equity investments, are analyzed between translation 
differences  and  other  changes  in  the  carrying  amount  of 
the  security. The  translation  differences  are  recognized  in 
the  income  statement.  Any  impairment  charges  are  also 
recognized in the income statement, while other changes in 
fair  value  are  recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income. 
When  financial  assets  classified  as  available-for-sale  are 
sold,  the  accumulated  fair  value  adjustments  previously 
recognized  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income 
are  reclassified  to  the  income  statement.  Dividends  on 
available-for-sale equity instruments are also recognized in 
the income statement within investment income when the 
Company’s right to receive payments is established. 

d.  Held-to-maturity investments 

Non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable 
payments  and  fixed  maturity  are  classified  as  held-to-
maturity when the Company has the positive intention and 
ability to hold to maturity. Investments intended to be held 
for an undefined period are not included in this classification. 
Other long-term investments that are intended to be held-
to-maturity, such as bonds, are measured at amortized cost. 
This  cost  is  computed  as  the  amount  initially  recognized 
minus principal repayments, plus or minus the cumulative 
amortization  using  the  effective  interest  method  of  any 
difference between the initially recognized amount and the 
maturity amount. This calculation includes all fees paid or 
received between parties to the contract that are an integral 
part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and all 
other premiums and discounts. For investments carried at 
amortized cost, gains and losses are recognized in income 
when  the  investments  are  derecognized  or  impaired,  as 
well as through the amortization process.

Financial  assets  are  derecognized  when  the  investments 
mature  or  are  sold,  and  substantially  all  the  risks  and 
rewards of ownership have been transferred.

ii)  fINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Borrowings  and  other  financial  liabilities  are  classified 
as  other  financial  liabilities  and  are  recognized  initially 
at  fair  value,  net  of  transaction  costs  incurred  and  are 
subsequently  stated  at  amortized  cost.  Any  difference 
between the amounts originally received (net of transaction 
costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the income 
statement  over  the  period  to  maturity  using  the  effective 
interest method.

Borrowings  and  other  financial  liabilities  are  classified  as 
current liabilities unless the Company has an unconditional 
right  to  defer  settlement  of  the  liability  for  at  least  12 
months after the statement of financial position date.

iii)  DERIVATIVE fINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

When  the  Company  enters  into  derivative  contracts  these 
transactions  are  designed  to  reduce  exposures  related  to 
assets  and  liabilities,  firm  commitments  or  anticipated 
transactions. All derivatives are initially recognized at their 
fair value on the date the derivative contract is entered into 
and  are  subsequently  re-measured  at  their  fair  value  at 
each statement of financial position date. 

66

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Embedded  derivatives:  Derivatives  embedded  in  other 
financial  instruments  or  other  host  contracts  are  treated 
as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics 
are not closely related to their host contracts. For example, 
variations  between  the  commodity  price  recorded  at  the 
shipment  date  and  the  actual  final  price  set  under  the 
smelting  contracts  are  caused  by  changes  in  metal  prices 
and  result  in  an  embedded  derivative  in  the  accounts 
receivable.  This  is  described  in  the  policy  for  revenue 
recognition. 

and losses on derecognition are recognized within finance 
income and finance costs, respectively.

Where 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  a  de-
recognition of the original liability and the recognition of a 
new liability, and any difference in the respective carrying 
amounts is recognized in the income statement.

iv)  fAIR VALUE 

vii)  TRADE RECEIVABLES 

Fair value is the amount at which an item could be exchanged 
in an arm’s length transaction between informed and willing 
parties. Where  relevant  market  prices  are  available,  these 
are used to determine fair values. In other cases, fair values 
are calculated using quotations from independent financial 
institutions,  or  by  using  valuation  techniques  consistent 
with general market practice applicable to the instrument. 

•	 The	

fair	 values	 of	 cash,	 short	

term	 borrowings	
approximate  their  carrying  values,  as  a  result  of  their 
short  maturity  or  because  they  carry  floating  rates  of 
interest

•	 Derivative	 financial	 assets	 and	 liabilities	 are	 measured	
at fair value based on published price quotations for the 
period for which a liquid active market exists

v) 

IMPAIRMENT Of fINANCIAL ASSETS  

Available-for-sale financial assets
The  Company  assesses  at  each  statement  of  financial 
position  date  whether  there  is  objective  evidence  that  a 
financial  asset  or  a  group  of  financial  assets  is  impaired. 
In  the  case  of  equity  securities  classified  as  available  for 
sale, an evaluation is made as to whether a decline in fair 
value  is  ‘significant’  or  ‘prolonged’  based  on  an  analysis 
of  indicators  such  as  significant  adverse  changes  in  the 
technological,  market,  economic  or  legal  environment  in 
which the Company invested in operates.

If  an  available-for-sale  financial  asset  is  impaired,  an 
amount comprising the difference between its cost (net of 
any principal payment and amortization) and its current fair 
value, less any impairment loss previously recognized in the 
income statement is transferred from equity to the income 
statement.  Reversals  in  respect  of  equity  instruments 
classified  as  available  for-  sale  are  not  recognized  in  the 
income statement. Reversals of impairment losses on debt 
instruments are reversed through the income statement; if 
the increase in fair value of the instrument can be objectively 
related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was 
recognized.

vi)  DE-RECOGNITION Of fINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  

Trade  receivables  are  recognized  initially  at  fair  value  and 
are  subsequently  measured  at  amortized  cost  reduced  by 
any  provision  for  impairment. A  provision  for  impairment 
of trade receivables is established when there is objective 
evidence  that  the  Company  will  not  be  able  to  collect  all 
amounts  due.  Indicators  of  impairment  would  include 
financial difficulties of the debtor, likelihood of the debtor’s 
insolvency, default in payment or a significant deterioration 
in  credit  worthiness. Any  impairment  is  recognized  in  the 
income  statement  within  ‘doubtful  accounts  provision’. 
When  a  trade  receivable  is  uncollectable,  it  is  written 
off  against  the  provision  for  impairment.  Subsequent 
recoveries  of  amounts  previously  written  off  are  credited 
income 
against 
statement.

‘doubtful  accounts  provision’ 

in  the 

viii) ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES  

Accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities  are  recognized 
initially  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at 
amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The Company employs metals 
and  currency  contracts,  including  forward  contracts  to  manage 
exposure  to  fluctuations  in  metal  prices  and  foreign  currency 
exchange  rates.  For  metals  production,  these  contracts  are 
intended  to  reduce  the  risk  of  falling  prices  on  the  Company’s 
future  sales.    Foreign  currency  derivative  financial  instruments, 
such  as  forward  contracts  are  used  to  manage  the  effects  of 
exchange rate changes on foreign currency cost exposures. Such 
derivative  financial  instruments  are  initially  recognized  at  fair 
value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into 
and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. Derivatives are 
carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities 
when the fair value is negative and any gains or losses arising from 
changes in fair value on derivatives are taken directly to earnings 
for  the  year. The  fair  value  of  forward  currency  and  commodity 
contracts is calculated by reference to current forward exchange 
rates and prices for contracts with similar maturity profiles. 

Cash:  Cash  includes  cash  on  hand  and  cash  in  banks,  held 
primarily  in  U.S.  and  Canadian  dollars  (“USD”  and  “CAD”, 
respectively) and considered loans and receivables and therefore 
is stated at amortized cost, less any impairment.

Financial assets
A financial asset is derecognized when its contractual rights 
to  the  cash  flows  that  comprise  the  financial  asset  expire 
or  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of  the  asset  are 
transferred. 

Financial liabilities
A  financial  liability  is  derecognized  when  the  obligation 
under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expired. Gains 

Short-term  investments:  Short-term  investments  are  classified 
as “available-for-sale”, and consist of highly-liquid debt securities 
with  original  maturities  in  excess  of  three  months  and  equity 
securities.  These debt and equity securities are initially recorded 
at  fair  value,  which  upon  their  initial  measurement  is  equal  to 
their cost.  Subsequent measurements and changes in the market 
value of these debt and equity securities are recorded as changes 
to  other  comprehensive  income.  Investments  are  assessed 
quarterly for potential impairment. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

67

Inventories:  Inventories  include  work  in  progress,  concentrate 
ore,  doré,  processed  silver  and  gold,  and  operating  materials 
and supplies. Work in progress inventory includes ore stockpiles 
and other partly processed material. Stockpiles represent ore that 
has  been  extracted  and  is  available  for  further  processing. The 
classification of inventory is determined by the stage at which the 
ore is in the production process. Inventories of ore are sampled 
for metal content and are valued based on the lower of cost or 
estimated  net  realizable  value  based  upon  the  period  ending 
prices  of  contained  metal.  Cost  is  determined  on  a  weighted 
average  basis  or  using  a  first-in-first-out  basis  and  includes  all 
costs incurred in the normal course of business including direct 
material and direct labour costs and an allocation of production 
overheads,  depreciation  and  amortization,  and  other  costs, 
based on normal production capacity, incurred in bringing each 
product to its present location and condition. Material that does 
not  contain  a  minimum  quantity  of  metal  to  cover  estimated 
processing  expense  to  recover  the  contained  metal  is  not 
classified as inventory and is assigned no value. If the ore will not 
be processed within the 12 months after the statement of financial 
position date it is included within non-current assets. Quantities 
are assessed primarily through surveys and assays.

Supplies inventories are valued at the lower of average cost and 
net realizable value using replacement cost plus cost to dispose, 
net  of  obsolescence.  Concentrate  and  doré  inventory  includes 
product  at  the  mine  site,  the  port  warehouse  and  product  held 
by  refineries.  At  times,  the  Company  has  a  limited  amount  of 
finished silver at a minting operation where coins depicting Pan 
American’s emblem are stamped.

Mineral  Property,  Plant,  and  Equipment:  On  initial  acquisition, 
mineral property, plant and equipment are valued at cost, being 
the purchase price and the directly attributable costs of acquisition 
or  construction  required  to  bring  the  asset  to  the  location  and 
condition necessary for the asset to be capable of operating in the 
manner  intended  by  management. When  provisions  for  closure 
and decommissioning are recognized, the corresponding cost is 
capitalized as an asset, representing part of the cost of acquiring 
the future economic benefits of the operation. The capitalized cost 
of closure and decommissioning activities is recognized in mineral 
property, plant and equipment and depreciated accordingly.

In subsequent periods, buildings, plant and equipment are stated 
at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  and  any  impairment  in 
value, whilst land is stated at cost less any impairment in value 
and is not depreciated. 

Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost, less estimated 
residual  values  of  buildings,  plant  and  equipment  (based  on 
prices prevailing at the statement of financial position date) on the 
following  bases:  Mine  production  assets  are  depreciated  using 
a  unit  of  production  method  based  on  estimated  economically 
recoverable  reserves,  which  results  in  a  depreciation  charge 
proportional  to  the  depletion  of  reserves.  Buildings,  plant  and 
equipment  unrelated  to  production  are  depreciated  using  the 
straight-line method based on estimated useful lives. Where parts 
of an asset have different useful lives, depreciation is calculated 
on each separate part. 

Each asset or part’s estimated useful life has due regard to both 
its  own  physical  life  limitations  and  the  present  assessment  of 
economically recoverable reserves of the mine property at which 

the  item  is  located,  and  to  possible  future  variations  in  those 
assessments.  Estimates  of  remaining  useful  lives  and  residual 
values are reviewed annually. Changes in estimates are accounted 
for prospectively. 

The  expected  useful  lives  are  included  below  in  the  accounting 
policy  for  depreciation  of  property,  plant,  and  equipment.   The 
net carrying amounts of mineral property, land, buildings, plant 
and  equipment  are  reviewed  for  impairment  either  individually 
or  at  the  cash-generating  unit  level  when  events  and  changes 
in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amounts  may  not 
be  recoverable.  To  the  extent  that  these  values  exceed  their 
recoverable amounts, that excess is fully provided against in the 
financial year in which this is determined.  

In countries where the Company paid Value Added Tax (“VAT”) and 
where there is uncertainty of its recoverability, the VAT payments 
have either been deferred with mineral property costs relating to 
the property or expensed if it relates to mineral exploration. If the 
Company  ultimately  recovers  previously  deferred  amounts,  the 
amount received will be applied to reduce mineral property costs 
or taken as a credit against current expenses depending on the 
prior treatment.

Expenditure on major maintenance or repairs includes the cost of 
the replacement of parts of assets and overhaul costs. Where an 
asset or part of an asset is replaced and it is probable that future 
economic  benefits  associated  with  the  item  will  be  available  to 
the  Company,  the  expenditure  is  capitalized  and  the  carrying 
amount  of  the  item  replaced  derecognized.  Similarly,  overhaul 
costs  associated  with  major  maintenance  are  capitalized  and 
depreciated over their useful lives where it is probable that future 
economic benefits will be available and any remaining carrying 
amounts of the cost of previous overhauls are derecognized. All 
other costs are expensed as incurred. 

Where  an  item  of  mineral  property,  plant  and  equipment  is 
disposed  of,  it  is  derecognized  and  the  difference  between  its 
carrying value and net sales proceeds is disclosed as earnings or 
loss on disposal in the income statement. Any items of mineral 
property, plant or equipment that cease to have future economic 
benefits  are  derecognized  with  any  gain  or  loss  included  in  the 
financial year in which the item is derecognized.

Operational  Mining  Properties  and  Mine  Development:  When  it 
has been determined that a mineral property can be economically 
developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves 
(which occurs upon completion of a positive economic analysis of 
the mineral deposit), the costs incurred to develop such property 
including  costs  to  further  delineate  the  ore  body  and  remove 
overburden to initially expose the ore body prior to the start of 
mining operations, are also capitalized. Such costs are amortized 
using  the  units-of-production  method  over  the  estimated  life  of 
the ore body based on proven and probable reserves. 

Costs  associated  with  commissioning  activities  on  constructed 
plants  are  deferred  from  the  date  of  mechanical  completion  of 
the  facilities  until  the  date  the  Company  is  ready  to  commence 
commercial  service.  Any  revenues  earned  during  this  period 
are  recorded  as  a  reduction  in  deferred  commissioning  costs. 
These costs are amortized using the units-of-production method 
(described below) over the life of the mine, commencing on the 
date of commercial service.

68

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Acquisition costs related to the acquisition of land and mineral 
rights are capitalized as incurred. Prior to acquiring such land or 
mineral rights the Company makes a preliminary evaluation to 
determine that the property has significant potential to develop 
an economic ore body. The time between initial acquisition and 
full  evaluation  of  a  property’s  potential  is  dependent  on  many 
factors  including:  location  relative  to  existing  infrastructure, 
the  property’s  stage  of  development,  geological  controls  and 
metal  prices.  If  a  mineable  ore  body  is  discovered,  such  costs 
are amortized when production begins. If no mineable ore body 
is  discovered,  such  costs  are  expensed  in  the  period  in  which 
it  is  determined  the  property  has  no  future  economic  value. 
In  countries  where  the  Company  has  paid  Value  Added  Tax 
(“VAT”) and where there is uncertainty of its recoverability, the 
VAT payments have either been deferred with mineral property 
costs relating to the property or expensed if it relates to mineral 
exploration.  If  the  Company  ultimately  makes  recoveries  of 
the VAT, the amount received will be applied to reduce mineral 
property  costs  or  taken  as  a  credit  against  current  expenses 
depending on the prior treatment.

Major  development  expenditures  on  producing  properties 
incurred  to  increase  production  or  extend  the  life  of  the  mine 
are capitalized while ongoing mining expenditures on producing 
properties  are  charged  against  earnings  as  incurred.  Gains  or 
losses from sales or retirements of assets are included in gain or 
loss on sale of assets.

Depreciation  of  Mineral  Property,  Plant  and  Equipment:  The 
carrying  amounts  of  mineral  property,  plant  and  equipment 
(including  initial  and  any  subsequent  capital  expenditure)  are 
depreciated to their estimated residual value over the estimated 
useful lives of the specific assets concerned, or the estimated life 
of the associated mine or mineral lease, if shorter. Estimates of 
residual  values  and  useful  lives  are  reviewed  annually  and  any 
change  in  estimate  is  taken  into  account  in  the  determination 
of  remaining  depreciation  charges,  and  adjusted  if  appropriate, 
at  each  statement  of  financial  position  date.  Changes  to  the 
estimated  residual  values  or  useful  lives  are  accounted  for 
prospectively.  Depreciation  commences  on  the  date  when  the 
asset is available for use as intended by management. 

Units of production basis
For mining properties and leases and certain mining equipment, 
the economic benefits from the asset are consumed in a pattern 
which  is  linked  to  the  production  level.  Except  as  noted  below, 
such assets are depreciated on a unit of production basis.

In  applying  the  units  of  production  method,  depreciation  is 
normally  calculated  using  the  quantity  of  material  extracted 
from the mine in the period as a percentage of the total quantity 
of  material  to  be  extracted  in  current  and  future  periods  based 
on  proven  and  probable  reserves  and,  for  some  mines,  other 
mineral  resources.  Such  non  reserve  material  may  be  included 
in depreciation calculations in limited circumstances and where 
there is a high degree of confidence in its economic extraction. 

Straight line basis
Assets within operations for which production is not expected to 
fluctuate significantly from one year to another or which have a 
physical  life  shorter  than  the  related  mine  are  depreciated  on  a 
straight line basis.

Mineral  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  depreciated  over  its 
useful life, or over the remaining life of the mine if shorter. The 
major categories of property, plant and equipment are depreciated 
on a unit of production and/or straight-line basis as follows:

•	 Land	–	not	depreciated

•	 Mobile	equipment	–	3	to	7	years

•	 Buildings	and	plant	facilities	–	25	to	50	years

•	 Mining	properties	and	leases	–	based	on	reserves	on	a	unit	of	
production  basis.    Capitalized  evaluation  and  development 
expenditure  –  based  on  applicable  reserves  on  a  unit  of 
production basis

•	 Exploration	and	Evaluation	–	not	depreciated	until	mine	goes	

into production

•	 Assets	under	construction	–	not	depreciated	until	assets	are	

ready for their intended use

Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure: relates to costs incurred 
on  the  exploration  and  evaluation  of  potential  mineral  reserves 
and  resources  and  includes  costs  such  as  exploratory  drilling 
and  sample  testing  and  the  costs  of  pre-feasibility  studies. 
Exploration expenditure relates to the initial search for deposits 
with  economic  potential.  Evaluation  expenditure  arises  from  a 
detailed assessment of deposits or other projects that have been 
identified as having economic potential. 

Expenditure on exploration activity is not capitalized. 

Capitalization of evaluation expenditure commences when there 
is a high degree of confidence in the project’s viability and hence 
it is potentially probable that future economic benefits will flow 
to the Company.  

Evaluation  expenditure,  other  than  that  acquired  from  the 
purchase  of  another  mining  company,  is  carried  forward  as  an 
asset provided that such costs are expected to be recovered in full 
through  successful  development  and  exploration  of  the  area  of 
interest or alternatively, by its sale.

Purchased  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  are  recognized  as 
assets at their cost of acquisition or at fair value if purchased as 
part of a business combination. 

In the case of undeveloped projects there may be only inferred 
resources to form a basis for the impairment review. The review 
is based on a status report regarding the Company’s intentions 
for  development  of  the  undeveloped  project.  In  some  cases, 
the  undeveloped  projects  are  regarded  as  successors  to  ore 
bodies,  smelters  or  refineries  currently  in  production.  Where 
this is the case, it is intended that these will be developed and 
go into production when the current source of ore is exhausted 
or to replace the reduced output, which results where existing 
smelters  and/or  refineries  are  closed.  It  is  often  the  case  that 
technological  and  other  improvements  will  allow  successor 
smelters  and/or  refineries  to  more  than  replace  the  capacity 
of  their  predecessors.  Subsequent  recovery  of  the  resulting 
carrying  value  depends  on  successful  development  or  sale  of 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

69

the undeveloped project. If a project does not prove viable, all 
irrecoverable costs associated with the project net of any related 
impairment provisions are written off.

An  impairment  review  is  performed,  either  individually  or  at 
the  cash  generating  unit  level,  when  there  are  indicators  that 
the carrying amount of the assets may exceed their recoverable 
amounts. To  the  extent  that  this  occurs,  the  excess  is  expensed 
in  the  financial  year  in  which  this  is  determined.  Capitalized 
exploration  and  evaluation  assets  are  reassessed  on  a  regular 
basis  and  these  costs  are  carried  forward  provided  that  the 
conditions  discussed  above  for  expenditure  on  exploration 
activity and evaluation expenditure are met.

Expenditure  is  transferred  to  mining  properties  and  leases  or 
assets  under  construction  once  the  work  completed  to  date 
supports  the  future  development  of  the  property  and  such 
development receives appropriate approvals.

Deferred  Stripping  Costs:  In  open  pit  mining  operations,  it  is 
necessary  to  remove  overburden  and  other  waste  in  order  to 
access  the  ore  body.  During  the  preproduction  phase,  these 
costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the mine property and 
subsequently amortized over the life of the mine (or pit) on a units 
of production basis.

The  costs  of  removal  of  the  waste  material  during  a  mine’s 
production  phase  are  deferred,  where  they  give  rise  to  future 
benefits. These  capitalized  costs  are  subsequently  amortized  in 
a rational and systematic manner over the reserves that directly 
benefit from the specific stripping activity.  

Asset Impairment: Management reviews and evaluates its assets 
for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that  the  related  carrying  amounts  may  not  be  recoverable.  
Impairment is normally assessed at the level of cash-generating 
units  which  are  identified  as  the  smallest  identifiable  group  of 
assets that generates cash inflows and largely independent of the 
cash inflows from other assets. In addition, an impairment loss is 
recognized for any excess of carrying amount over the fair value 
less  costs  to  sell  of  a  non-current  asset  or  disposal  group  held 
for sale. When an impairment review is undertaken, recoverable 
amount  is  assessed  by  reference  to  the  higher  of  value  in  use 
(being the net present value of expected future cash flows of the 
relevant  cash  generating  unit)  and  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell 
(“FVLCTS”). The best evidence of FVLCTS is the value obtained 
from an active market or binding sale agreement. Where neither 
exists, FVLCTS is based on the best information available to reflect 
the amount the Company could receive for the cash generating 
unit in an arm’s length transaction. This is often estimated using 
discounted cash flow techniques.

Where  recoverable  amount  is  assessed  using  discounted  cash 
flow  techniques,  the  resulting  estimates  are  based  on  detailed 
mine and/or production plans. For value in use, recent cost levels 
are considered, together with expected changes in costs that are 
compatible with the current condition of the business and which 
meet  the  requirements  of  IAS  36. The  cash  flow  forecasts  are 
based on best estimates of expected future revenues and costs, 
including the future cash costs of production, capital expenditure, 
close down, restoration and environmental clean-up. These may 
include  net  cash  flows  expected  to  be  realized  from  extraction, 
processing  and  sale  of  mineral  resources  that  do  not  currently 
qualify  for  inclusion  in  proven  or  probable  ore  reserves.  Such 
non  reserve  material  is  included  where  there  is  a  high  degree 

of  confidence  in  its  economic  extraction.  This  expectation  is 
usually  based  on  preliminary  drilling  and  sampling  of  areas 
of  mineralization  that  are  contiguous  with  existing  reserves. 
Typically, the additional evaluation to achieve reserve status for 
such material has not yet been done because this would involve 
incurring costs earlier than is required for the efficient planning 
and operation of the mine.

Where  the  recoverable  amount  of  a  cash  generating  unit  is 
dependent on the life of its associated ore body, expected future 
cash  flows  reflect  long  term  mine  plans,  which  are  based  on 
detailed research, analysis and iterative modeling to optimize the 
level of return from investment, output and sequence of extraction. 
The mine plan takes account of all relevant characteristics of the 
ore body, including waste to ore ratios, ore grades, haul distances, 
chemical  and  metallurgical  properties  of  the  ore  impacting  on 
process recoveries and capacities of processing equipment that 
can be used. The mine plan is therefore the basis for forecasting 
production  output  in  each  future  year  and  for  forecasting 
production costs.

The  Company’s  cash  flow  forecasts  are  based  on  estimates  of 
future commodity prices, which assume market prices will revert 
to  the  Company’s  assessment  of  the  long  term  average  price, 
generally over a period of three to five years. These assessments 
often differ from current price levels and are updated periodically. 

The  discount  rates  applied  to  the  future  cash  flow  forecasts 
represent an estimate of the rate the market would apply having 
regard  to  the  time  value  of  money  and  the  risks  specific  to  the 
asset  for  which  the  future  cash  flow  estimates  have  not  been 
adjusted,  including  appropriate  adjustments  for  the  risk  profile 
of  the  countries  in  which  the  individual  cash  generating  units 
operate. The  great  majority  of  the  Company’s  sales  are  based 
on prices denominated in USD. To the extent that the currencies 
of  countries  in  which  the  Company  produces  commodities 
strengthen  against  the  USD  without  commodity  price  offset, 
cash flows and, therefore, net present values are reduced. When 
calculating value in use, IAS 36 requires that calculations should 
be based on exchange rates current at the time of the assessment. 
Non-financial  assets  other  than  goodwill  that  have  suffered  an 
impairment  are  tested  for  possible  reversal  of  the  impairment 
whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the 
impairment may have reversed.

Closure  and  Decommissioning  Costs:  The  mining,  extraction 
and  processing  activities  of  the  Company  normally  give  rise 
to  obligations  for  site  closure  or  rehabilitation.  Closure  and 
decommissioning  works  can  include  facility  decommissioning 
and  dismantling;  removal  or  treatment  of  waste  materials; 
site  and  land  rehabilitation. The  extent  of  work  required  and 
the  associated  costs  are  dependent  on  the  requirements  of 
relevant authorities and the Company’s environmental policies. 
Provisions  for  the  cost  of  each  closure  and  rehabilitation 
program  are  recognized  at  the  time  that  environmental 
disturbance  occurs. When  the  extent  of  disturbance  increases 
over  the  life  of  an  operation,  the  provision  is  increased 
accordingly.  Costs  included  in  the  provision  encompass  all 
closure  and  decommissioning  activity  expected  to  occur 
progressively  over  the  life  of  the  operation  and  at  the  time  of 
closure  in  connection  with  disturbances  at  the  reporting  date. 
Routine  operating  costs  that  may  impact  the  ultimate  closure 
and  decommissioning  activities,  such  as  waste  material 
handling conducted as an integral part of a mining or production 
process,  are  not  included  in  the  provision.  Costs  arising  from 

70

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

unforeseen  circumstances,  such  as  the  contamination  caused 
by  unplanned  discharges,  are  recognized  as  an  expense  and 
liability  when  the  event  gives  rise  to  an  obligation  which  is 
probable  and  capable  of  reliable  estimation. The  timing  of  the 
actual closure and decommissioning expenditure is dependent 
upon  a  number  of  factors  such  as  the  life  and  nature  of  the 
asset,  the  operating  license  conditions,  and  the  environment 
in which the mine operates. Expenditure may occur before and 
after  closure  and  can  continue  for  an  extended  period  of  time 
dependent  on  closure  and  decommissioning  requirements. 
Closure  and  decommissioning  provisions  are  measured  at  the 
expected value of future cash flows, discounted to their present 
value and determined according to the probability of alternative 
estimates of cash flows occurring for each operation. Discount 
rates used are specific to the underlying obligation. Significant 
judgements and estimates are involved in forming expectations 
of future activities and the amount and timing of the associated 
cash  flows. Those  expectations  are  formed  based  on  existing 
environmental and regulatory requirements which give rise to a 
constructive or legal obligation.

When  provisions  for  closure  and  decommissioning  are  initially 
recognized,  the  corresponding  cost  is  capitalized  as  an  asset, 
representing  part  of  the  cost  of  acquiring  the  future  economic 
benefits  of  the  operation. The  capitalized  cost  of  closure  and 
decommissioning  activities  is  recognized  in  Property,  plant  and 
equipment and depreciated accordingly. The value of the provision 
is progressively increased over time as the effect of discounting 
unwinds,  creating  an  expense  recognized  in  finance  expenses. 
Closure  and  decommissioning  provisions  are  also  adjusted  for 
changes  in  estimates. Those  adjustments  are  accounted  for  as 
a  change  in  the  corresponding  capitalized  cost,  except  where 
a  reduction  in  the  provision  is  greater  than  the  un-depreciated 
capitalized cost of the related assets, in which case the capitalized 
cost is reduced to nil and the remaining adjustment is recognized 
in  the  income  statement.  In  the  case  of  closed  sites,  changes 
to  estimated  costs  are  recognized  immediately  in  the  income 
statement. Changes to the capitalized cost result in an adjustment 
to 
future  depreciation  and  finance  charges.  Adjustments 
to  the  estimated  amount  and  timing  of  future  closure  and 
decommissioning cash flows are a normal occurrence in light of 
the significant judgements and estimates involved. 

The provision is reviewed at the end of each reporting period for 
changes to obligations, legislation or discount rates that impact 
estimated  costs  or  lives  of  operations  and  adjusted  to  reflect 
current best estimate. The cost of the related asset is adjusted for 
changes in the provision resulting from changes in the estimated 
cash flows or discount rate and the adjusted cost of the asset is 
depreciated prospectively. 

Foreign Currency Translation: The Company’s functional currency 
and  that  of  its  subsidiaries  is  the  USD  as  this  is  the  principal 
currency  of  the  economic  environments  in  which  they  operate. 
Transaction  amounts  denominated 
foreign  currencies 
(currencies other than USD) are translated into USD at exchange 
rates prevailing at the transaction dates. Carrying values of foreign 
currency monetary assets and liabilities are re-translated at each 
statement of financial position date to reflect the U.S. exchange 
rate prevailing at that date.  

in 

Gains  and  losses  arising  from  translation  of  foreign  currency 
monetary  assets  and  liabilities  at  each  period  end  are  included 
in  earnings  except  for  differences  arising  on  decommissioning 
provisions which are capitalized for operating mines.

Share-based  Payments:  The  Company  makes  share-based 
awards, including free shares and options, to certain employees.

For equity-settled awards, the fair value is charged to the income 
statement  and  credited  to  equity,  on  a  straight-line  basis  over 
the  vesting  period,  after  adjusting  for  the  estimated  number  of 
awards  that  are  expected  to  vest. The  fair  value  of  the  equity-
settled  awards  is  determined  at  the  date  of  grant.  Non-vesting 
conditions and market conditions, such as target share price upon 
which vesting is conditioned, are factored into the determination 
of  fair  value  at  the  date  of  grant.  All  other  vesting  conditions 
are  excluded  from  the  determination  of  fair  value  and  included 
in  management’s  estimate  of  the  number  of  awards  ultimately 
expected to vest.

The  fair  value  is  determined  by  using  option  pricing  models. 
At  each  statement  of  financial  position  date  prior  to  vesting, 
the  cumulative  expense  representing  the  extent  to  which  the 
vesting  period  has  expired  and  management’s  best  estimate 
of  the  awards  that  are  ultimately  expected  to  vest  is  computed 
(after  adjusting  for  non-market  performance  conditions).  The 
movement  in  cumulative  expense  is  recognized  in  the  income 
statement with a corresponding entry within equity. No expense 
is  recognized  for  awards  that  do  not  ultimately  vest,  except  for 
awards  where  vesting  is  conditional  upon  a  market  condition, 
which  are  treated  as  vesting  irrespective  of  whether  or  not  the 
market condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance 
conditions are satisfied.

Where  the  terms  of  an  equity-settled  award  are  modified,  as  a 
minimum  an  expense  is  recognized  as  if  the  terms  had  not 
been  modified  over  the  original  vesting  period.  In  addition,  an 
expense is recognized for any modification, which increases the 
total  fair  value  of  the  share-based  payment  arrangement,  or  is 
otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of 
modification, over the remainder of the new vesting period.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it 
had  vested  on  the  date  of  cancellation,  and  any  expense  not 
yet  recognized  for  the  award  is  recognized  immediately.  Any 
compensation  paid  up  to  the  fair  value  of  the  awards  at  the 
cancellation  or  settlement  date  is  deducted  from  equity,  with 
any  excess  over  fair  value  being  treated  as  an  expense  in  the 
income  statement.  However,  if  a  new  award  is  substituted  for 
the  cancelled  award,  and  designated  as  a  replacement  award 
on the date that it is granted, the new awards are treated as if 
they are a modification of the original award, as described in the 
previous paragraph.

Leases:  The  determination  of  whether  an  arrangement  is,  or 
contains  a  lease  is  based  in  the  substance  of  the  arrangement 
at  inception  date,  including  whether  the  fulfillment  of  the 
arrangement  is  dependent  on  the  use  of  a  specific  asset  or 
assets  or  whether  the  arrangement  conveys  a  right  to  use  the 
asset.  A  reassessment  after  inception  is  only  made  in  specific 
circumstances.

Assets  held  under  finance  leases,  where  substantially  all  the 
risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have passed to the 
Company, are capitalized in the statement of financial position at 
the lower of the fair value of the leased property or the present 
value  of  the  minimum  lease  payments  during  the  lease  term 
calculated using the interest rate implicit in the lease agreement. 
These amounts are determined at the inception of the lease and 
are  depreciated  over  the  shorter  of  their  estimated  useful  lives 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

71

enacted  or  substantively  enacted  at  the  statement  of  financial 
position date.

Current and deferred taxes relating to items recognized in other 
comprehensive  income  or  directly  in  equity  are  recognized  in 
other  comprehensive  income  or  equity  and  not  in  the  income 
statement. Mining taxes and royalties are treated and disclosed 
as  current  and  deferred  taxes  if  they  have  the  characteristics  of 
an  income  tax.  Judgements  are  required  about  the  application 
of  income  tax  legislation. These  judgements  and  assumptions 
are  subject  to  risk  and  uncertainty,  hence  there  is  a  possibility 
that  changes  in  circumstances  will  alter  expectations,  which 
may impact the amount of deferred tax assets and deferred tax 
liabilities  recognized  on  the  statement  of  financial  position  and 
the amount of other tax losses and temporary differences not yet 
recognized.  In  such  circumstances,  some  or  the  entire  carrying 
amount  of  recognized  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  may 
require adjustment, resulting in a corresponding credit or charge 
to the income statement. 

Deferred tax assets, including those arising from tax losses, capital 
losses  and  temporary  differences,  are  recognized  only  where  it 
is probable that taxable earnings will be available against which 
the  losses  or  deductible  temporary  differences  can  be  utilized. 
Assumptions  about  the  generation  of  future  taxable  earnings 
and  repatriation  of  retained  earnings  depend  on  management’s 
estimates  of  future  cash  flows.  These  depend  on  estimates 
of  future  production  and  sales  volumes,  commodity  prices, 
reserves,  operating  costs,  closure  and  decommissioning  costs, 
capital  expenditure,  dividends  and  other  capital  management 
transactions.

Earnings  (loss)  Per  Share:  Basic  earnings  (loss)  per  share  is 
calculated  by  dividing  earnings  attributable  to  ordinary  equity 
holders of the parent entity by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

The diluted earnings per share calculation is based on the earnings 
attributable to ordinary equity holders and the weighted average 
number  of  shares  outstanding  after  adjusting  for  the  effects 
of  all  potential  ordinary  shares. This  method  requires  that  the 
number of shares used in the calculation be the weighted average 
number of shares that would be issued on the conversion of all 
the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.  This 
method  assumes  that  the  potential  ordinary  shares  converted 
into  ordinary  shares  at  the  beginning  of  the  period  (or  at  the 
time of issuance, if not in existence at beginning of the period).  
The  number  of  dilutive  potential  ordinary  shares  is  determined 
independently for each period presented.  

For  convertible  securities  that  may  be  settled  in  cash  or  shares 
at  the  holder’s  option,  returns  to  preference  shareholders  and 
income  charges  are  added  back  to  net  earnings  used  for  basic 
EPS and the maximum number of ordinary shares that could be 
issued on conversion are used in the computing diluted earnings 
per share.  

or  lease  term. The  capital  elements  of  future  obligations  under 
leases  and  hire  purchase  contracts  are  included  as  liabilities  in 
the  statement  of  financial  position. The  interest  elements  of  the 
lease  or  hire  purchase  obligations  are  charged  to  the  income 
statement  over  the  periods  of  the  leases  and  hire  purchase 
contracts and represent a constant proportion of the balance of 
capital repayments outstanding.

Leases where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
have  not  passed  to  the  Company  are  classified  as  operating 
leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Income  Taxes:  Taxation  on  the  earnings  or  loss  for  the  year 
comprises  current  and  deferred  tax. Taxation  is  recognized  in 
the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items 
recognized in other  comprehensive income or directly in equity, 
in  which  case  the  tax  is  recognized  in  other  comprehensive 
income or equity.

Current  tax  is  the  expected  tax  payable  on  the  taxable  income 
for the year using rates enacted or substantively enacted at the 
year end, and includes any adjustment to tax payable in respect 
of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided using the statement of financial position 
liability  method,  providing  for  the  tax  effect  of  temporary 
differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities 
for  financial  reporting  purposes  and  the  amounts  used  for  tax 
assessment  or  deduction  purposes.  Where  an  asset  has  no 
deductible or depreciable amount for income tax purposes, but 
has  a  deductible  amount  on  sale  or  abandonment  for  capital 
gains tax purposes, that amount is included in the determination 
of temporary differences. 

in  subsidiaries, 

The tax effect of certain temporary differences is not recognized, 
principally  with  respect  to  goodwill;  temporary  differences 
arising  on  the  initial  recognition  of  assets  or  liabilities  (other 
than those arising in a business combination or in a manner that 
initially impacted accounting or taxable earnings); and temporary 
differences  relating  to 
jointly 
investments 
controlled entities and associates to the extent that the Company 
is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and the 
temporary difference is not expected to reverse in the foreseeable 
future. The  amount  of  deferred  tax  recognized  is  based  on  the 
expected  manner  and  timing  of  realization  or  settlement  of  the 
carrying  amount  of  assets  and  liabilities,  with  the  exception  of 
items that have a tax base solely derived under capital gains tax 
legislation,  using  tax  rates  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  at 
period end. To the extent that an item’s tax base is solely derived 
from  the  amount  deductible  under  capital  gains  tax  legislation, 
deferred tax is determined as if such amounts are deductible in 
determining future assessable income. 

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed 
at  each  statement  of  financial  position  date  and  reduced  to  the 
extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable earnings 
will  be  available  to  allow  all  or  part  of  the  deferred  income  tax 
asset  to  be  utilized. To  the  extent  that  an  asset  not  previously 
recognized  fulfils  the  criteria  for  recognition,  a  deferred  income 
tax asset is recorded.

Deferred  tax  is  measured  on  an  undiscounted  basis  at  the  tax 
rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset 
is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws 

72

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED AND EffECTIVE 
JANUARY 1, 2012

are not fair value, such as net realizable value in IAS 2 Inventories 
or value in use in IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. This standard is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, 
with early application permitted.  

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures amendment issued by 
the IASB in October 2010 enhances the disclosure requirements 
in  relation  to  transferred  financial  assets. The  amendments  are 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2011, with 
earlier  application  permitted. The  Company  does  not  anticipate 
this amendment to have a significant impact on the consolidated 
financial statements.

IAS 12 Income Taxes amendment issued by the IASB in December 
2010 provides a solution to determining the recovery of investment 
properties as it relates to the accounting for deferred income taxes.  
This amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or 
after July 1, 2011, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company 
does not anticipate this amendment to have a significant impact 
on the consolidated financial statements.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED AND EffECTIVE 
JANUARY 1, 2013

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements establishes principles 
for  the  presentation  and  preparation  of  consolidated  financial 
statements when an entity controls one or more other entities. This 
standard (i) requires a parent entity (an entity that controls one or 
more other entities) to present consolidated financial statements; 
(ii) defines the principle of control, and establishes control as the 
basis  for  consolidation;  (iii)  sets  out  how  to  apply  the  principle 
of  control  to  identify  whether  an  investor  controls  an  investee 
and  therefore  must  consolidate  the  investee;  and  (iv)  sets  out 
the accounting requirements for the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements. IFRS 10 supersedes IAS 27 Consolidated and 
Separate Financial Statements and SIC-12 Consolidation - Special 
Purpose Entities and is effective for annual periods beginning on 
or after January 1, 2013, with early application permitted.  

IFRS  11  Joint Arrangements  establishes  the  core  principle  that 
a  party  to  a  joint  arrangement  determines  the  type  of  joint 
arrangement  in  which  it  is  involved  by  assessing  its  rights  and 
obligations  and  accounts  for  those  rights  and  obligations  in 
accordance with that type of joint arrangement. This standard is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, 
with early application permitted.  

IFRS  12  Disclosure  of  Interests  in  Other  Entities  requires 
the  disclosure  of  information  that  enables  users  of  financial 
statements  to  evaluate  the  nature  of,  and  risks  associated  with, 
its interests in other entities and the effects of those interests on 
its financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This 
standard  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after 
January 1, 2013, with early application permitted.   

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement defines fair value, sets out in a 
single  IFRS  a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value  and  requires 
disclosures about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 applies when 
another  IFRS  requires  or  permits  fair  value  measurements  or 
disclosures about fair value measurements (and measurements, 
such  as  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell,  based  on  fair  value  or 
disclosures about those measurements), except for: share-based 
payment  transactions  within  the  scope  of  IFRS  2  Share-based 
Payment; leasing transactions within the scope of IAS 17 Leases;  
measurements that have some similarities to fair value but that 

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”) amendment, 
issued by the IASB in June 2011, requires an entity to group items 
presented  in  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  on  the 
basis of whether they may be reclassified to earnings subsequent 
to initial recognition. For those items presented before taxes, the 
amendments  to  IAS  1  also  require  that  the  taxes  related  to  the 
two separate groups be presented separately. The amendments 
are  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  July  1, 
2012,  with  earlier  adoption  permitted. The  Company  does  not 
anticipate the application of IAS 1 to have a material impact on its 
consolidated financial statements. 

IAS  19  Employee  Benefits  amendment,  issued  by  the  IASB  on 
June  2011  introduced  changes  to  the  accounting  for  defined 
benefit  plans  and  other  employee  benefits.  The  amendments 
include elimination of the options to defer, or recognize in full in 
earnings,  actuarial  gains  and  losses  and  instead  mandates  the 
immediate  recognition  of  all  actuarial  gains  and  losses  in  other 
comprehensive  income  and  requires  use  of  the  same  discount 
rate  for  both  the  defined  benefit  obligation  and  expected  asset 
return  when  calculating  interest  cost.  Other  changes  include 
modification  of  the  accounting  for  termination  benefits  and 
classification  of  other  employee  benefits.     The  Company  does 
not  anticipate  the  application  of  the  amended  IAS  19  to  have  a 
material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements has the 
objective  of  setting  standards  to  be  applied  in  accounting  for 
investments in subsidiaries, jointly ventures, and associates when 
an  entity  elects,  or  is  required  by  local  regulations,  to  present 
separate (non-consolidated) financial statements. This standard is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, 
with early application permitted.  This standard will not have an 
impact on the consolidated financial statements. 

IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures prescribes 
the  accounting  for  investments  in  associates  and  sets  out  the 
requirements  for  the  application  of  the  equity  method  when 
accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures. IAS 
28 applies to all entities that are investors with joint control of, or 
significant influence over, an investee (associate or joint venture). 
This standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2013, with early application permitted.  

IFRIC  20  Stripping  Costs  in  the  Production  Phase  of  a  Surface 
Mine    clarifies  the  requirements  for  accounting  for  the  costs  of 
stripping  activity  in  the  production  phase  when  two  benefits 
accrue: (i) useable ore that can be used to produce inventory and 
(ii) improved access to further quantities of material that will be 
mined in future periods. IFRIC 20 is effective for annual periods 
beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2013  with  earlier  application 
permitted  and  includes  guidance  on  transition  for  pre-existing 
stripping assets.

The Company has not early adopted any of these standards and is 
currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these standards might 
have on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

73

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS EffECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015

b.  Metal Price Risk

IFRS  9  Financial  Instruments  is  intended  to  replace  IAS  39 
Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement  in  its 
entirety by the IASB in three main phases. IFRS 9 will be the new 
standard for the financial reporting of financial instruments that 
is principles-based and less complex than IAS 39. In November 
2009  and  October  2010,  phase  1  of  IFRS  was  issued  and 
amended, respectively, which addressed the classification and 
measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. IFRS 9 
requires that all financial assets be classified as subsequently 
measured  at  amortized  cost  or  at  fair  value  based  on  the 
Company’s business model for managing financial assets and 
the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. 
Financial  liabilities  are  classified  as  subsequently  measured 
at  amortized  cost  except  for  financial  liabilities  classified  as 
a  FVTPL,  financial  guarantees  and  certain  other  exceptions. 
In  response  to  delays  to  the  completion  of  the  remaining 
phases of the project, on December 16, 2011, the IASB issued 
amendments to IFRS 9 which deferred the mandatory effective 
date of IFRS 9 from January 1, 2013 to annual periods beginning 
on  or  after  January  1,  2015. The  amendments  also  provided 
relief  from  the  requirements  to  restate  comparative  financial 
statements for the effects of applying IFRS 9. 

3.  MANAGEMENT Of CAPITAL  

The  Company’s  objective  when  managing  its  capital  is  to 
maintain its ability to continue as a going concern while at the 
same  time  maximizing  growth  of  its  business  and  providing 
returns  to  its  shareholders. The  Company’s  capital  structure 
consists of shareholders’ equity, comprising issued capital plus 
share  option  reserve  plus  retained  earnings,  plus  investment 
revaluation  reserve  with  a  balance  of  $1.6  billion  as  at 
December 31, 2011 (2010 - $1.3 billion). The Company manages 
its capital structure and makes adjustments based on changes 
to its economic environment and the risk characteristics of the 
Company’s  assets.  The  Company’s  capital  requirements  are 
effectively managed based on the Company having a thorough 
reporting,  planning  and  forecasting  process  to  help  identify 
the funds required to ensure the Company is able to meet its 
operating  and  growth  objectives. The  Company  has  a  $150 
million  credit  facility  with  a  syndicate  of  international  banks 
which has not been drawn.

The  Company  is  not  subject  to  externally  imposed  capital 
requirements and the Company’s overall strategy with respect 
to capital risk management remains unchanged from the year 
ended December 31, 2010.

4.  fINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

a.  Overview

The  Company  has  exposure  to  risks  of  varying  degrees 
of  significance  which  could  affect  its  ability  to  achieve  its 
strategic  objectives  for  growth  and  shareholder  returns.  
The  principal  financial  risks  to  which  the  Company  is 
exposed  are  metal  price  risk,  credit  risk,  interest  rate 
risk,  foreign  exchange  rate  risk,  and  liquidity  risk.  The 
Company’s  Board  of  Directors  has  overall  responsibility 
for  the  establishment  and  oversight  of  the  Company’s 
risk  management  framework  and  reviews  the  Company’s 
policies on an ongoing basis.

Metal price risk is the risk that changes in metal prices will 
affect  the  Company’s  income  or  the  value  of  its  related 
financial instruments. The Company derives its revenue from 
the sale of silver, gold, lead, copper, and zinc. The Company’s 
sales  are  directly  dependent  on  metal  prices  that  have 
shown  extreme  volatility  and  are  beyond  the  Company’s 
control.  Consistent  with  the  Company’s  mission  to  provide 
equity  investors  with  exposure  to  changes  in  silver  prices, 
the Company’s policy is to not hedge the price of silver.   A 
10%  increase  in  metal  prices  for  the  year  ended  December 
31, 2011, would result in an increase of approximately $89.5 
million  (2010  –  $67.7  million)  in  the  Company’s  revenues.  
A 10% decrease in metal prices for the same period would 
result  in  a  decrease  of  approximately  $88.0  million  (2010  - 
$66.5 million) in the Company’s revenues. The Company also 
enters into provisional concentrate contracts to sell the zinc, 
lead  and  copper  concentrates  produced  by  the  Quiruvilca, 
Huaron,  Morococha,  San  Vicente  and  La  Colorada  mines.  
A  10%  increase  in  metal  prices  on  open  positions  for  the 
year  ended  December  31,  2011  would  result  in  an  increase 
of  approximately  $9.1  million  (2010  -  $8.6  million)  in  the 
Company’s before tax earnings which would be reflected in 
2012  results. A  10%  decrease  in  metal  prices  for  the  same 
period  would  result  in  a  decrease  of  approximately  $8.9 
million  (2010  -  $8.3  million)  in  the  Company’s  before  tax 
earnings which would be reflected in 2012 results.

The  Company  mitigates  the  price  risk  associated  with 
its  base  metal  production  by  committing  some  of  its 
forecasted base metal production from time to time under 
forward sales and option contracts. The Board of Directors 
continually  assess  the  Company’s  strategy  towards  its 
base metal exposure, depending on market conditions. At 
December 31, 2011, the Company had no contracts in place 
for the sale of future production.

c.  Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a 
customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to 
meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from 
the  Company’s  trade  receivables.  The  carrying  value  of 
financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.

The  Company  has  long-term  concentrate  contracts  to 
sell  the  zinc,  lead  and  copper  concentrates  produced 
by  the  Quiruvilca,  Huaron,  Morococha,  San  Vicente  and 
La  Colorada  mines.  Concentrate  contracts  are  common 
business  practice  in  the  mining  industry. The  terms  of  the 
concentrate contracts may require the Company to deliver 
concentrate  that  has  a  value  greater  than  the  payment 
received  at  the  time  of  delivery,  thereby  introducing  the 
Company  to  credit  risk  of  the  buyers  of  our  concentrates.  
Should  any  of  these  counterparties  not  honour  supply 
arrangements,  or  should  any  of  them  become  insolvent, 
the  Company  may  incur  losses  for  products  already 
shipped and be forced to sell its concentrates on the spot 
market or it may not have a market for its concentrates and 
therefore  its  future  operating  results  may  be  materially 
adversely  impacted.  At  December  31,  2011  the  Company 
had  receivable  balances  associated  with  buyers  of  its 
concentrates of $40.5 million (2010 - $51.0 million).  The vast 
majority of the Company’s concentrate is sold to seven well 
known concentrate buyers.

74

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Silver doré production from La Colorada, Alamo Dorado and Manantial Espejo is refined under long term agreements with fixed 
refining terms at three separate refineries worldwide. The Company generally retains the risk and title to the precious metals 
throughout the process of refining and therefore is exposed to the risk that the refineries will not be able to perform in accordance 
with  the  refining  contract  and  that  the  Company  may  not  be  able  to  fully  recover  precious  metals  in  such  circumstances. At 
December  31,  2011  the  Company  had  approximately  $35.9  million  (2010  -  $20.8  million)  of  value  contained  in  precious  metal 
inventory at refineries. The Company maintains insurance coverage against the loss of precious metals at the Company’s mine 
sites, in-transit to refineries and whilst at the refineries.

The Company maintains trading facilities with several banks and bullion dealers for the purposes of transacting the Company’s 
trading  activities.  None  of  these  facilities  are  subject  to  margin  arrangements. The  Company’s  trading  activities  can  expose 
the  Company  to  the  credit  risk  of  its  counterparties  to  the  extent  that  our  trading  positions  have  a  positive  mark-to-market 
value. However, the Company minimizes this risk by ensuring there is no excessive concentration of credit risk with any single 
counterparty, by active credit management and monitoring.

Refined silver and gold is sold in the spot market to various bullion traders and banks. Credit risk may arise from these activities 
if the Company is not paid for metal at the time it is delivered, as required by spot sale contracts.

Management constantly monitors and assesses the credit risk resulting from its refining arrangements, concentrate sales and 
commodity  contracts  with  its  refiners,  trading  counterparties  and  customers.  Furthermore,  management  carefully  considers 
credit risk when allocating prospective sales and refining business to counterparties. In making allocation decisions, Management 
attempts to avoid unacceptable concentration of credit risk to any single counterparty. 

At December 31, 2011, there is an allowance for doubtful accounts provision recorded in the amount of $7.6 million (2010 – $7.6 
million)  that  relates  to  amounts  owing  from  Doe  Run  Peru  (“DRP”),  one  of  the  buyers  of  concentrates  from  the  Company’s 
Peruvian  operations,  for  deliveries  of  concentrates  that  occurred  in  early  2009. The  Company  will  continue  to  pursue  every 
possible avenue to recover the amounts owed by DRP. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no additional provision for 
doubtful account was recorded as there are no material past due trade receivables or other receivables present.

Trade accounts receivable and other receivables that represent the maximum credit risk to the Company consist of the following:

Trade accounts receivable

Advances to suppliers and contractors

Insurance receivable

Current portion of refundable tax

Export tax receivable 

Other

Presented as accounts receivable on the Statement of Financial Position

Long-term refundable tax receivable and other receivables

Total

DECEMBER 31,

2011

2010

January 1, 2010

$

$

$

40,477

$

51,026

$

7,599

3,500

37,082

6,613

8,162

4,704

1,592

4,342

4,290

939

103,433

$

66,893

$

10,253

28,171

113,686

$

95,064

$

53,963

3,536

-

3,282

218

5,060

66,059

11,909

77,968

The Company invests its cash which also has credit risk, with 
the objective of maintaining safety of principal and providing 
adequate liquidity to meet all current payment obligations. 

short term investments was 0.35%. A 10% increase or decrease 
in  the  interest  earned  from  financial  institutions  on  cash  and 
short term investments would result in a nominal increase or 
decrease in the Company’s before tax earnings (2010 – nominal).

d.  Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair values and future cash 
flows  of  the  Company  will  fluctuate  because  of  changes  in 
market  interest  rates.  At  December  31,  2011,  the  Company 
has  $9.8  million  in  lease  obligations  (2010  -  $0.12  million), 
equipment  and  construction  advances  of  $21.9  million  (2010 
-  $5.4  million)  that  are  subject  to  an  annualized  interest  rate 
of  2.2%  and  no  outstanding  debt. The  interest  paid  by  the 
Company  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  on  its  lease 
obligations  and  equipment  and  construction  advances  was 
nominal. The  average  interest  rate  earned  by  the  Company 
during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  on  its  cash  and 

e.  Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

The  Company  reports  its  financial  statements  in  USD; 
however,  the  Company  operates  in  jurisdictions  that  utilize 
other currencies. As a consequence, the financial results of 
the Company’s operations as reported in USD are subject to 
changes in the value of the USD relative to local currencies.  
Since  the  Company’s  sales  are  denominated  in  USD  and 
a  portion  of  the  Company’s  operating  costs  and  capital 
spending are in local currencies, the Company is negatively 
impacted  by  strengthening  local  currencies  relative  to  the 
USD and positively impacted by the inverse.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

75

In order to mitigate this exposure, from time to time the Company has purchased Peruvian New soles (“PEN”), Mexican pesos 
(“MXN”)  and  CAD  to  match  anticipated  spending. At  December  31,  2011,  the  Company  had  no  forward  contracts  to  purchase 
foreign currencies. The Company’s net earnings are affected by the revaluation of its monetary assets and monetary liabilities at 
each balance sheet date. The Company has reviewed its monetary assets and monetary liabilities and estimates that a 10% change 
in the exchange rate of the foreign currencies in which its December 31, 2011 non-USD net monetary liabilities were denominated 
would result in a net income change of about $9.6 million (2010 - $1.8 million). At December 31, 2011 the Company’s cash and short 
term investments includes $205.5 million in CAD and $38.3 million in MXN.  

f.  Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due.  The Company manages 
its liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows.  The Company has in place a rigorous planning and 
budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements on an ongoing 
basis and its expansion plans.  The Company strives to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its short-term business requirements, 
taking into account its anticipated cash flows from operations, its holdings of cash and short-term investments, and its committed 
loan facilities.

The Company’s commitments have contractual maturities which are summarized below:

PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD – 2011

TOTAL

LESS THAN A YEAR

1–3 YEARS

4–5 YEARS

AFTER 5 YEARS

Finance lease obligations1 

Current liabilities2

Long term income taxes payable

Severance accrual

Contribution plan3

$

31,983

$

21,068

$

10,915

$

149,785

149,785

2,274

5,427

3,478

-

3,032

3,478

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,274

2,395

-

Total contractual obligations4

$ 192,947

$

177,363

$

10,915

$

4,669

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD – 2010

TOTAL

LESS THAN A YEAR

1–3 YEARS

4–5 YEARS

AFTER 5 YEARS

Finance lease obligations1 

$

5,482

$

122

$

5,360

$

Current liabilities2

Severance accrual

Contribution plan3

102,444

6,464

4,902

102,444

6,464

2,451

-

-

2,451

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

Total contractual obligations4
-
1  Includes lease obligations in the amount of $10.1 million (2010 - $0.12 million) with a net present value of $9.8 million (2010 - $0.12 million) and equipment and con-
struction advances in the amount of $21.9 million (2010 - $5.4 million); both discussed further in Note 11.

119,292

111,481

7,811

$

$

$

$

$

-

2 Includes all current liabilities as per the statement of financial position less items presented separately in this table which also include amounts expected to be paid 

but not accrued in the books of the Company.

3  In June 2008 the Company initiated a 4 year contractual retention plan for key officers and management, further discussed in Note 13. Contract commitments for the 

plan, payable in CAD, represent minimum payments expected to be paid out, which are presented above in USD at the period-end rate.
4 Amounts above do not include payments related to the Company’s anticipated closure and decommissioning obligation, the liability arising from Aquiline acquisi-
tion discussed in Note 12, and deferred tax liabilities.

g.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of  is at fair value and the carrying value of cash, trade and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued 
liabilities approximate their fair value due to the relatively short periods to maturity of these financial instruments. Under IFRS, 
share  purchase  warrants  with  an  exercise  price  denominated  in  a  currency  other  than  the  Company's  functional  currency  are 
classified and accounted for as financial liabilities and, as such, are measured at their fair values with changes in fair values included 
in net earnings.  

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial 
instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement and, therefore, 
cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  Company’s  financial  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value,  grouped  into  Levels  1  to  3 
based on the degree to which the fair value is observable. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices 

76

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 
measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

Level 1  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets 
or liabilities;

Level 2   Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the 
full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3  Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable 
(supported by little or no observable market data).

At December 31, 2011, the levels in the fair value hierarchy into which the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured 
and recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value are categorized as follows:

FAIR VALUE AT DECEMBER 31, 2011

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (in thousands of USD)

Short-term investments

Trade receivable from provisional concentrate sales

Non-current share purchase warrants

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (in thousands of USD)

Short-term investments

Investments

Trade receivable from provisional concentrate sales

Non-current share purchase warrants

TOTAL

228,321

40,477

(23,651)

245,147

TOTAL

180,583

1,483

51,026

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$ (127,890)

$

105,202

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 1

228,321

-

-

228,321

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

40,477

(23,651)

16,826

FAIR VALUE AT DECEMBER 31, 2010

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

$

$

$

$

$

180,583

1,483

-

-

182,066

$

$

$

$

$

-

-

51,026

(127,890)

(76,864)

FAIR VALUE AT JANUARY 1, 2010

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (in thousands of USD)

TOTAL

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

Short-term investments

Investments

Derivative financial instruments

Trade receivable from provisional concentrate sales

Non-current share purchase warrants

$

$

$

$

$

$

92,623

1,553

160

53,963

(43,919)

104,380

$

$

$

$

$

$

92,623

1,553

-

-

-

94,176

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

-

160

53,963

(43,919)

10,204

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

LEVEL 3

-

-

-

-

-

LEVEL 3

-

-

-

-

-

-

At  December  31,  2011,  there  were  no  financial  assets  or  liabilities  measured  and  recognized  on  the  Consolidated  Statement  of 
Financial Position at fair value that would be recognized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy above (December 31, 2010-$nil; January 
1, 2010-$nil)

There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

  Valuation Techniques

Short-term investments and other investments
The Company’s short-term investments and other investments are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such 
are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and are primarily money market securities and U.S. Treasury securities. The 
fair value of the investment securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the investment and in the case of equity securities, 
the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

77

Derivative Financial Instruments
The  Company’s  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  commodity  and  foreign  currency  contracts  are  valued  using  observable  market 
prices and as such are classified as Level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2011, the unrealized gains and 
losses on commodity and foreign currency contracts was $nil (2010 - $nil).

Share purchase warrants
The  Company’s  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  share  purchase  warrants  are  valued  using  observable  inputs  and  as  such  are 
classified as Level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2011, the unrealized gain on share purchase warrants was 
$101.8 million (2010 – unrealized loss of $90.7 million).

Receivables from Provisional Concentrate Sales
The Company’s trade receivables arose from provisional concentrate sales and are valued using quoted market prices based on the 
forward London Metal Exchange (“LME”) for copper, zinc and lead and the London Bullion Market Association P.M. fix (“London 
P.M. fix”) for gold and silver. 

5.  SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS

AVAILABLE 
FOR SALE

Short term 
investments

Investments1

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

FAIR VALUE

COST

ACCUMULATED  
UNREALIZED  
HOLDING GAINS

FAIR VALUE

COST

ACCUMULATED  
UNREALIZED  
HOLDING GAINS 

FAIR VALUE

COST

ACCUMULATED  
UNREALIZED  
HOLDING GAINS

$ 228,321

$ 226,997

$

1,324

$ 180,583

$ 172,315

$

8,268

$

92,623

$

92,153

$

470

-

-

-

1,483

405

1,078

1,553

405

$ 228,321

$ 226,997

$

1,324

$ 182,066

$ 172,720

$

9,346

$

94,176

$

92,558

$

1,148

1,618

1 Investments in certain equity securities are presented in other assets on the balance sheet (Note 8).

6. 

INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of: 

Concentrate inventory

Stockpile ore

Direct smelting ore

Doré and finished inventory

Materials and supplies

Less: non-current direct smelting ore (Note 8)

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

$

21,473

31,704

-

46,558

35,961

135,696

-

$

$

14,026

24,182

-

33,755

34,891

106,854

-

$

135,696

$

106,854

$

15,379

21,892

1,462

27,577

28,147

94,457

(1,011)

93,446

Production costs, including depreciation and amortization and royalties for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $446.2 million 
(2010 - $405.4 million). Production costs represent cost of inventories sold during the year.

7.  MINERAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Acquisition  costs  of  investment  and  non-producing  properties  together  with  costs  directly  related  to  mine  development 
expenditures are capitalized. Exploration expenditures on investment and non-producing properties are charged to operations in 
the period they are incurred.

Capitalization of evaluation expenditures commences when there is a high degree of confidence in the project’s viability and hence it is 
potential that future economic benefits will flow to the Company. Evaluation expenditures, other than that acquired from the purchase 
of another mining company, are carried forward as an asset provided that such costs are expected to be recovered in full through 
successful development and exploration of the area of interest or alternatively, by its sale. Evaluation expenditures include delineation 
drilling, metallurgical evaluations, and geotechnical evaluations amongst others.

78

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
Mineral property, plant and equipment consist of:

MINING PROPERTIES

COST

DEPLETABLE

NON-DEPLETABLE

RESERVES AND 
RESOURCES

RESERVES AND 
RESOURCES

ExPLORATIONa AND 
EVALUATION

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2011

$

466,172

$

24,404

$

573,746

$

393,944

$

1,458,266

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

VAT collected 

Closure and decommissioning – changes in estimate

Other

As at December 31, 2011

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

As at January 1, 2011

Depreciation charge

Disposals

Transfers

Other

As at December 31, 2011

Carrying value – December 31, 2011

$

$

$

$

33,554

-

3,859

(13,314)

(14,694)

(143)

475,434

(154,746)

(38,732)

-

(1,040)

(333)

(194,851)

280,583

2,361

-

(1,791)

-

-

-

24,974

-

-

-

-

-

-

24,974

$

$

$

$

19,932

(2,914)

45

-

-

(14)

89,916

(4,504)

(2,113)

-

-

(647)

145,763

(7,418)

-

(13,314)

(14,694)

(804)

590,795

$

476,596

$

1,567,799

-

-

-

-

-

-

590,795

(142,197)

$

(296,943)

(44,024)

(82,756)

1,938

1,040

3

1,938

-

(330)

(183,240)

293,356

$

$

(378,091)

1,189,708

$

$

$

$

MINING PROPERTIES

COST

DEPLETABLE

NON-DEPLETABLE

RESERVES AND 
RESOURCES

RESERVES AND 
RESOURCES

ExPLORATIONa AND 
EVALUATION

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2010

$

452,430

$

25,513

$

549,199

$

363,023

$

1,390,165

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

VAT capitalized (collected) 

Closure and decommissioning  – change in estimate

Other

As at December 31, 2010

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

As at January 1, 2010

Depreciation charge

Disposals

Transfers

Other

As at December 31, 2010

Carrying value – December 31, 2010

$

$

$

$

17,071

(69)

(613)

(11,883)

7,075

2,161

466,172

(112,411)

(43,712)

10

-

1,367

(154,746)

311,426

77

(158)

(1,246)

-

-

218

24,404

-

-

-

-

-

-

24,404

$

$

$

$

20,459

-

(6)

2,528

1,566

-

31,348

(1,498)

1,865

-

-

(794)

68,955

(1,725)

-

(9,355)

8,641

1,585

573,746

$

393,944

$

1,458,266

-

-

-

-

-

-

573,746

(100,678)

$

(213,089)

(42,768)

(86,480)

998

-

251

1,008

-

1,618

(142,197)

251,747

$

$

(296,943)

1,161,323

$

$

$

$

a  During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company incurred $33.3 million (2010 - $35.3 million) in exploration and evaluation expenditures, of which 
$22.3 million (2010 - $29.1) were capitalized to exploration and evaluation ($19.9 million) and land ($2.4 million).  The remaining $11.0 million of expenditures 
(2010 - $6.2 million) were expensed. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

79

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JAN. 1, 2010

COST

ACCUMULATED
AMORIZATION

CARRYING 
VALUE

COST

ACCUMULATED
AMORIZATION

CARRYING 
VALUE

CARRYING 
VALUE

Huaron mine, Peru

$

113,362

$

(44,935)

$

68,427

$

100,801

$

(37,861)

$

62,940

$

Morococha mine, Peru

Alamo Dorado mine, Mexico

La Colorada mine, Mexico

155,524

174,067

71,602

(41,048)

(110,882)

(40,793)

114,476

115,410

63,185

30,809

170,699

60,751

Manantial Espejo mine, Argentina

296,431

(102,126)

194,305

296,023

San Vicente mine, Bolivia

Other

Total

115,848

25,196

(35,200)

(3,107)

80,648

22,089

111,617

4,815

(31,578)

(93,263)

(36,596)

(70,863)

(24,349)

(2,433)

83,832

77,436

24,155

57,847

67,755

99,919

19,273

225,160

262,032

87,268

2,382

93,417

2,122

$

952,030

$

(378,091)

$

573,939

$

860,116

$

(296,943)

$

563,173

$

602,365

LAND AND ExPLORATION AND EVALUATION:

Land

Morococha, Peru

Navidad project, Argentina

Other

Total Non-producing properties

Total Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment

$

8,999

15,975

552,265

38,530

615,769

1,189,708

$

$

$

6,638

$

17,766

544,438

29,308

598,150

1,161,323

$

$

$

$

6,501

19,012

523,980

25,218

574,711

1,177,076

Navidad Project, Argentina
During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  the  Company 
capitalized  $22.3  million  of  evaluation  costs  at  the  Navidad 
Project in Argentina (2010 - $29.1 million) including land addition 
of  $2.4  million.  Additionally,  the  Company  purchased  $17.0 
million  of  long  lead  time  processing  equipment  intended  for 
the Navidad project which is classified as part of “Other” in the 
producing properties section above.

La Preciosa Project, Durango, Mexico 
In  April  2009,  Pan  American  and  Orko  Silver  Corp.  (‘‘Orko’’) 
entered  into  an  agreement,  pursuant  to  which  Pan  American 
and  Orko  agreed  to  develop  the  La  Preciosa  silver  project 
located in the State of Durango, Mexico. Under the terms of the 
agreement, in order for the Company to retain its 55% interest 
in the project: (a) the Company must, in addition to contributing 
its mine development expertise, spend a minimum of $5 million 
in the first 12 months from the date of the Letter of Agreement 
(the condition was achieved as of the first quarter of 2010) and 
conduct  resource  definition  drilling,  acquire  necessary  surface 
rights,  obtain  permits,  and  prepare  a  feasibility  study;  and  (b) 
following  a  positive  construction  decision,  the  Company  must 
contribute 100% of the funds necessary for practical completion 
of  an  operating  mine.  In  exchange  for  its  45%  interest  in  the 
venture, Orko agreed to contribute its exploration expertise and 
the La Preciosa Project and related concessions. The Company 
anticipates completing a feasibility study by mid 2012, assuming 
an  agreement  is  reached  with  Orko  for  an  extension  of  the 
delivery date, originally scheduled for April 2012.

The  Company  has  assessed  the  operating  company  of  the  La 
Preciosa project to be under the scope of IAS 27 Consolidated 
and Separate Financial Statements and as such it is consolidated 
in the financial statements of the Company. Until such time as 
an  economic  analysis  is  completed  and  proven  and  probable 
reserves  are  established,  costs  incurred  through  the  company 
will  be  expensed  and  no  value  has  been  attributed  to  the 
property contributed by the Company’s partners to the project. 

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the exploration expense 
recognized  arising  from  the  La  Preciosa  project  is  $2.4  million 
(2010 - $10.0 million).

Morococha Mine, Peru 
During the second quarter of 2010, the Company’s wholly owned 
subsidiary  Compañia  Minera  Argentum  S.A.  (“Argentum”), 
reached  an  agreement  with  Minera  Chinalco  Perú  (“MCP”  or 
“Chinalco”), a subsidiary of the Aluminum Corporation of China 
which clearly defines each party’s long term surface rights in the 
area of the Morococha mine. The primary focus of the agreement 
is on the lands and concessions around the Morococha mine and 
MCP’s Toromocho  copper  project.  MCP  requires  certain  lands 
and  concessions  in  order  to  proceed  with  the  development  of 
Toromocho, including the surface lands within the planned open 
pit mining area of the Toromocho project.  While Argentum does 
not own this land, much of the Morococha mine infrastructure 
and facilities are located on this ground. 

Under  the  terms  of  the  agreement, Argentum  will  relocate  the 
core Morococha facilities over a 5 year period and transfer certain 
mineral  concessions  and  access  rights  to  MCP.  In  exchange, 
Argentum  will  receive  a  package  of  surface  rights,  easements 
and other rights that are sufficient to relocate the facilities and 
to  continue  uninterrupted  operations.  Lastly,  Argentum  will 
receive periodic cash payments from MCP totaling $40 million, 
of  which,  to  December  31,  2011,  the  Company  received  $13.8 
million which has been utilized and offset against direct project 
related  expenses  or  recognized  as  other  income  to  the  extent 
it  represents  a  reimbursement  of  capital  expenditures.  The 
Company has also entered into a funding arrangement whereby 
it  has  received  advances  towards  some  of  the  project  capital 
expenditures  in  the  amount  of  $21.9  million  to  date.  These 
advances  are  subject  to  an  annualized  interest  rate  of  2.2%, 
which is paid monthly until the completion of the construction. 
At the conclusion of the construction these advance payments 
will be converted into a leasing arrangement in the first quarter 
of 2012.

80

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

8.  OTHER ASSETS

Other assets consist of:

Long-term receivable, net 

Long-term prepaid expense1

Reclamation bonds

Investments (Note 5)

Non-current direct smelting ore (Note 6)

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

$

$

-

$

5,205

224

-

-

$

-

-

135

1,483

-

5,429

$

1,618

$

3,825

-

132

1,553

1,011

6,521

1 Represents a prepaid deposit related to the Virtual Gas Line Project at the Manantial mine.

9.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Account payable and accrued liabilities consist of:

Accounts payable1

Accrued liabilities

Aquiline acquisition costs payable 

Payroll and related benefits

Severance accruals

Payment due for mineral property acquired

Advances on concentrate

Other taxes payable

Other

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

$

30,879

$

23,786

$

13,199

-

24,174

3,032

-

-

152

6,822

17,230

-

18,386

6,464

-

38

3,842

7,916

$

78,258

$

77,662

$

29,906

18,108

7,582

12,848

4,768

5,799

5,668

1,862

4,050

90,591

1 No interest is charged on the trades payables ranging from 30 to 60 days from the invoice date. The Company has policies in place to ensure that all payables are 

paid within the credit terms.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

81

10.  PROVISIONS

As at January 1, 2010

Revisions in estimates and obligations incurred

Charged (credited) to earnings:

new provisions

unused amounts reversed

exchange gains on provisions

Utilized in year

Accretion expense

As at December 31, 2010

Revisions in estimates and obligations incurred

Charged (credited) to earnings:

new provisions

unused amounts reversed

exchange gains on provisions

Utilized in year

Accretion expense

As at December 31, 2011

CLOSURE AND 
DECOMMISSIONING

57,273

$

11,654

-

-

-

(1,045)

3,668

71,550

$

(17,086)

-

-

-

(1,959)

3,268

LITIGATION

4,948

$

-

1,836

(216)

145

(797)

-

5,916

$

-

1,607

(147)

169

(1,925)

-

55,773

$

5,620

$

$

$

$

TOTAL

62,221

11,654

1,836

(216)

145

(1,842)

3,668

77,466

(17,086)

1,607

(147)

169

(3,884)

3,268

61,393

MATURITY ANALYSIS OF TOTAL PROVISIONS:

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

Current 

Non-Current

$

$

2,341

$

59,052

61,393

$

3,450

$

74,016

77,466

$

4,948

57,273

62,221

CLOSURE AND DECOMMISSIONING COST PROVISION

LITIGATION PROVISION

The  litigation  provision  consists  of  amounts  accrued  for  labour 
claims at several of the Company’s mine operations. The balance 
of $5.6 million at December 31, 2011 (2010 - $5.9 million) represents 
the Company’s best estimate for all known and anticipated future 
obligations related to the above claims. The amount and timing 
of any expected payments are uncertain as their determination is 
outside the control of the Company. 

The total undiscounted amount of estimated cash flows required 
to settle the Company’s closure and decommissioning provision 
is $65.9 million (2010 - $73.2 million) which has been discounted 
using  discount  rates  between  4%  and  10%.  Reclamation 
obligations at the Quiruvilca mine of $18.1 million are expected 
to  be  paid  starting  in  two  to  five  years  while  the  remainder  of 
the  obligations  is  expected  to  be  paid  through  2028.  Revisions 
made  to  the  reclamation  obligations  in  2011  were  primarily  a 
result of increased site disturbance from the ordinary course of 
operations at the mines as well as revisions to the estimate based 
on periodic reviews of closure plans, actual expenditures incurred 
and  concurrent  closure  activities  completed. These  obligations 
will be funded from operating cash flows, reclamation deposits 
and cash on hand.

The  accretion  expense  charged  to  2011  earnings  as  finance 
expense  was  $3.3  million  compared  to  $3.7  million  in  2010.  
Reclamation  expenditures  during  the  current  year  was  $2.0 
million compared to $1.0 million in 2010.

82

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
 
11.   fINANCE LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Lease obligations1 

Equipment and construction advances2

Maturity analysis of finance leases:

Current

Non-Current

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

$

$

9,764

$

21,901

31,665

$

118

$

5,360

5,478

$

620

-

620

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

$

$

20,841

$

10,824

31,665

$

118

$

5,360

5,478

$

620

-

620

1 Represents  equipment  lease  obligations  at  several  of  the  Company’s  subsidiaries. A  reconciliation  of  the  total  future  minimum  lease  payments  at  the  end  of 

December 31, 2011 to their present value is presented in the following table:

Less than a year

2 years

3 years

Less future finance charges

Present value of minimum lease payments

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

$

$

2011

5,737

3,787

558

10,082

 (318)

9,764         

$

$

2010

122

-

-

122

(4)

118

2 Represents a funding arrangement the Company entered into whereby it receives advances toward some of the project capital expenditures at the Morococha mine. 
These advances are subject to an annualized interest rate of 2.2% and are paid monthly until the completion of the construction, which is anticipated to take place in 
the first quarter of 2012, at which point these advance payments will be converted into a leasing arrangement.

12.   OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES

Other long term liabilities consist of:

Deferred credit1

Long term income tax payable (Note 21)

Severance accruals

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

JANUARY 1, 2010

$

$

20,788

$

20,788

$

20,788

2,274

2,395

-

-

-

-

25,457

$

20,788

$

20,788

1 As part of the 2009 Aquiline transaction the Company issued a replacement convertible debenture that allowed the holder to convert the debenture into either 
363,854  Pan  American  Shares  or  a  Silver  Stream  contract  related  to  certain  production  from  the  Navidad  project.  Regarding  the  replacement  convertible 
debenture, it was concluded that the deferred credit presentation was the most appropriate and best representation of the economics underlying the contract as 
of the date the Company assumed the obligation as part of the Aquiline acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition, the counterparty to the replacement debenture 
has indicated its intention to elect the silver stream alternative. The final contract for the alternative is being discussed and pending the final resolution to this 
alternative, the Company continues to classify the fair value calculated at the acquisition of this alternative, as a deferred credit.

13.   SHARE CAPITAL AND EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has a comprehensive stock compensation plan for its employees, directors and officers. The plan provides for the issuance 
of common shares and stock options, as incentives. The maximum number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to options granted 
or bonus Shares issued under the 2008 Plan may be equal to, but will not exceed 6,461,470 Shares. The exercise price of each option 
shall be the weighted average trading price of the Company’s stock for the five days prior to the award date. The options can be granted 
for a maximum term of 10 years with vesting provisions determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Any modifications to the stock 
Compensation Plan require shareholders’ approval.

The Board has developed long term incentive plan (“LTIP”) guidelines, which provides annual compensation to the senior managers of 
the Company based on the long term performance of both the Company and the individuals that participate in the plan. The LTIP consists 
of an annual grant of options to senior management to buy shares of the Company and a grant of the Company’s common shares with a 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

83

two year no trading legend. The options are combination of five year options which vest evenly in three annual instalments and seven 
year options which vest evenly in two annual instalments. Options and common shares granted under the LTIP plan are based on 
employee salary levels, individual performance and their future potential. The Compensation Committee oversees the LTIP on behalf 
of the Board of Directors.  The LTIP plan guidelines can be modified or suspended, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee 
and the Board of Directors. 

Transactions concerning stock options and share purchase warrants are summarized as follows in CAD:

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

SHARE PURCHASE WARRANTS

SHARES

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
ExERCISE PRICE 
CAD$ 

WARRANTS

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
ExERCISE PRICE 
CAD$ 

1,469,126

558,249

-

(450,587)

-

(128,392)

1,448,396

373,853

(90,093)

(449,097)

(39,747)

1,243,312

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

29.66

27.43

-

16.72

-

23.92

32.95

24.90

23.61

48.10

27.15

25.92

7,702,698

-

702,540

(399,005)

(51,488)

-

7,954,745

-

(139,761)

-

-

7,814,984

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

33.56

-

35.00

11.57

52.10

-

34.67

-

16.05

-

-

35.00

TOTAL
SHARES

9,171,824

558,249

702,540

(849,592)

(51,488)

(128,392)

9,403,141

373,853

(229,854)

         (449,097)

(39,747)

9,058,296

As at January 1, 2010

Granted

Issued on acquisition

Exercised

Expired

Forfeited

As at December 31, 2010

Granted

Exercised

Expired

Forfeited

As at December 31, 2011

a.  Long Term Incentive Plan

In  December  2011  the  Company  awarded  50,745  shares  of  common  stock  with  a  two  year  holding  period  and  granted  373,853 
options under this plan. The Company used as its assumptions for calculating the fair value a risk free interest rate of 0.85% to 0.93%, 
weighted average volatility of 36.7% to 40.67%, expected lives ranging from 1.8 to 3.0 years based on a historical expected dividend 
yield of 0.5%, and an exercise price of CAD$24.90 per share. The weighted average fair value of each option was determined to be 
CAD$5.99.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, 90,093 common shares were exercised for proceeds of $2.2 million in connection with 
the options under the plan (December 31, 2010 – 450,587 and $7.3 million). The weighted average share price at the date of exercise 
at December 31, 2011 was $38.13 (2010 - $38.34).

b.  Share Option Plan

The  following  table  summarizes  information  concerning  stock  options  outstanding  and  options  exercisable  as  at  December  31, 
2011. The underlying options agreements are specified in Canadian dollar amounts.

OPTIONS OUTSTANDING

OPTIONS ExERCISABLE

RANGE OF 
ExERCISE PRICES 
CAD$

NUMBER OUTSTANDING 
AS AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2011 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
REMAINING CONTRACTUAL 
LIFE (MONTHS)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
ExERCISE PRICE CAD$

NUMBER ExERCISABLE 
AS AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2011

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
ExERCISE PRICE CAD$

$

$

$

$

17.73 - 22.23

22.24 - 25.19

25.20 - 36.66

36.67 - 40.22

349,169

588,113

201,994

104,036

1,243,312

30.72

66.71

8.30

71.33

47.50

$

$

$

$

$

19.45

25.00

32.41

40.22

25.92

110,890

69,674

201,994

52,028

434,586

$

$

$

$

$

17.73

25.15

32.41

40.22

28.44

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the total employee stock-based compensation expense recognized in the income statement was 
$3.5 million (2010 - $4.0 million).  

84

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
c.  Share Purchase Warrants

As part of the acquisition of Aquiline Resources Inc. the Company issued share purchase warrants (Consideration and Replacement 
Warrants). The  following  table  summarizes  information  concerning  the  warrants  outstanding  and  warrants  exercisable  as  at 
December 31, 2011. The underlying options agreements are specified in Canadian dollar amounts.

WARRANTS OUTSTANDING

WARRANTS ExERCISABLE

RANGE OF 
ExERCISE PRICES 
CAD$

NUMBER OUTSTANDING 
AS AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2011 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
REMAINING CONTRACTUAL 
LIFE (MONTHS)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
ExERCISE PRICE CAD$

NUMBER ExERCISABLE 
AS AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2011

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
ExERCISE PRICE CAD$

$

35.00

7,814,984

35.36

$

35.00

7,814,984

$

35.00

As discussed in Note 2, the Company’s share purchase warrants are classified and accounted for as a financial liability at fair value 
with changes in fair value included in net earnings. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of the share purchase warrants is $23.7 million 
(2010 - $127.9 million) and at January 1, 2010 is $43.9 million. The weighted average share price at the date of exercise was $30.70 (2010 
- $38.78). Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2011, there was a derivative gain of $101.8 million (2010 – derivative loss 
of $90.7 million). The following table provides detail on the movement of the share purchase warrant liability between January 1, 2010 
and December 31, 2011:

SHARE PURCHASE WARRANT LIABILITY

January 1, 2010

Warrants issued during the year

Warrants exercised during the year

Mark-to-market loss on the revaluation of warrants 

As at December 31, 2010

Warrants exercised during the year

Mark-to-market gain on the revaluation of warrants

As at December 31, 2011

$

43,919

3,987

(10,677)

90,661

127,890

(2,411)

(101,828)

$

23,651

The  Company  uses  the  Black  Scholes  pricing  model  to  determine  the  fair  value  of  the  Canadian  dollar  denominated  warrants.  
Assumptions used are as follows:

Warrant strike price

Exchange rate (1CDN$ = US$)

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Expected stock price volatility

Expected warrant life in years

Quoted market price at period end

DECEMBER 31, 2011

DECEMBER 31, 2010

$

$

35.00

$

0.9771

1.0%

0.5%

41%

2.9

35.00

0.9998

2.2%

0.3%

40%

4.0

22.28

$

40.93

d.  Key Employee Long Term Contribution Plan

An additional element of the Company’s compensation structure is a retention program known as the Key Employee Long Term 
Contribution Plan (the “Contribution Plan”). The Contribution Plan was approved by the directors of the Company on June 2, 2008 in 
response to a heated labour market situation in the mining sector, and is intended to reward certain key employees of the Company 
over a fixed time period for remaining with the Company.

The Contribution Plan is a four year plan with a percentage of the retention bonus payable at the end of each year of the program.  
The  Contribution  Plan  design  consists  of  three  bonus  levels  that  are  commensurate  with  various  levels  of  responsibility,  and 
provides for a specified annual payment for four years starting in June 2009. Each year, the annual contribution award will be paid 
in the form of either cash or shares of the Company. As of December 31, 2011 CAD $3.5 million remains to be paid as described in 
Note 4. No shares will be issued from the treasury pursuant to the Contribution Plan without the prior approval of the plan by the 
shareholders of the Company and any applicable securities regulatory authorities.

e. 

Issued share capital
The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 common shares of no par value and does not reserve shares for issuances in 
connection of the exercise of stock options.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

85

f.  Normal Course Issuer Bid

On August 26, 2011, the Company received regulatory approval for a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 5,395,540 of its 
common shares, during the one year period from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012.

During the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company purchased and cancelled 3,582,200 shares (2010 – nil) for a total consideration 
of $94.0 million (2010 – nil), allocated between retained earnings ($51.7 million) and issued capital ($42.3 million). 

g.  Dividends

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company declared and paid to its shareholders dividends of $0.025 per common 
share for total dividends of $10.7 million (2010 - $0.025 for total dividends of $8.0 million).  The total dividend per share for the year 
ended December 31, 2011 was $0.10 (2010 - $0.08).

On February 22, 2012, the Company declared dividends payable of $0.0375 per common share for total dividends of $3.9 million, 
payable to holders of record of its common shares as of the close of business day on March 5, 2012. These dividends were not 
recognized in the year ended December 31, 2011.  

14.   PRODUCTION COSTS

Production costs are comprised of the following:

Consumption of raw materials and consumables

Employee compensation and benefits expense

Contractors and outside services

Utilities

Changes in inventories

Other expenses

15.  EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEfIT ExPENSES

Wages, salaries and bonuses

Share-based payments

Total employee compensation and benefit expenses

Less: Expensed within General and Administrative expenses

Less: Expensed Exploration expenses

Less: Capitalized in inventory

Employee compensation and benefits expenses included in production costs

FOR THE YEARS ENDED  
DECEMBER 31,

2011

121,366 $

119,430

69,740

39,446

(27,374)

18,755

2010

89,664

101,362

60,091

33,560

(4,903)

28,013

341,363 $

307,787

FOR THE YEARS ENDED  
DECEMBER 31,

2011

148,951 $

3,502

152,453

(15,953)

(8,205)

(8,865)

119,430 $

2010

119,879

4,028

123,907

(16,754)

(4,202)

(1,589)

101,362

$

$

$

$

86

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

16.  EARNINGS PER SHARE (BASIC AND DILUTED)

2011

2010

For the years ended December 31,

EARNINGS 
(NUMERATOR)

SHARES 
(DENOMINATOR)

PER-SHARE AMOUNT

EARNINGS 
(NUMERATOR)

SHARES 
(DENOMINATOR)

PER-SHARE 
AMOUNT

Net Earnings1 

Basic EPS

Effect of Dilutive Securities:

Stock Options

Diluted EPS

$

352,494

352,494

106,434

3.31

$

13,711

13,711

106,969

0.13

-

164

-

308

352,494

106,598

3.31

13,711

107,277

0.13

1 Net earnings attributable to equity holders of the Company.

Potentially dilutive securities excluded in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the year ended December 31, 2011 were 8,018,637 
out-of-money options and warrants (2010 – 8,631,999).  

17.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH fLOW INfORMATION

The following tables summarize the changes in operating working capital items and significant non-cash items:

Changes in non-cash operating working capital items:

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Prepaid expenditures

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Provisions

Significant Non-Cash Items:

Equity issued to acquire non-controlling interest of Aquiline Resources Inc.

Warrants issued to acquire non-controlling interest of Aquiline Resources Inc.

Fair value adjustment of warrants exercised

Advances received for construction and equipment leases

Stock compensation issued to employees and directors

18.  SEGMENTED INfORMATION

$

$

$

2011

(8,595) $

(28,416)

(2,799)

2,631

(2,256)

2010

(3,569)

(12,097)

(3,908)

7,029

(77)

(39,435) $

(12,622)

2011

- $

-

2,411

22,111

1,329

2010

43,532

3,987

10,677

5,360

2,490

All of the Company’s operations are within the mining sector, conducted through operations in six countries. Due to geographic and 
political diversity, the Company’s mining operations are decentralized whereby Mine General Managers are responsible for achieving 
specified business results within a framework of global policies and standards. Country corporate offices provide support infrastructure 
to the mines in addressing local and country issues including financial, human resources, and exploration support. The Company has a 
separate budgeting process and measures the results of operations and exploration activities independently. The Corporate office provides 
support to the mining and exploration activities with respect to financial, human resources and technical support. Major products are 
silver, gold, zinc, lead and copper produced from mines located in Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. Segments have been aggregated 
where operations in specific regions have similar products, production processes, type of customers and economic environment.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

87

PERU

MExICO

ARGEN-
TINA

BOLIVIA

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

HUARON

MOROCOCHA

QUIRUVILCA

ALAMO
DORADO

LA
COLORADA

MANANTIAL 
ESPEJO

SAN 
VICENTE

PAS CORP.

OTHER

AQUILINE 
GROUP

TOTAL

Revenue from external customers

$ 99,236

Depreciation and amortization

Exploration and project development

Interest and financing expenses

Gain (loss) on disposition of assets

Gain on derivatives

Foreign exchange gain (loss) 

Gain on commodity and  
foreign currency contracts

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

Income tax expense 

Net earnings (loss) for the year

Capital expenditures

Total assets

Total liabilities

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(6,515)

(303)

(358)

(65)

-

(456)

-

$ 33,194

$

(9,260)

$ 23,934

$ 13,021

$ 69,014

$ 22,397

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

83,467

(9,679)

(3,619)

(514)

1,097

-

(300)

-

17,477

(4,683)

12,794

41,669

160,773

65,256

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

45,927

$

174,387

(1,515)

$ (16,637)

-

(648)

-

-

(180)

$

$

$

$

$

(2,098)

(363)

8

-

331

-

$

-

13,143

$ 115,293

(5,045)

$ (36,261)

8,098

1,515

$

$

79,032

8,287

79,613

$ 128,875

54,586

$

12,258

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

147,654

(4,077)

(845)

(313)

124

-

775

-

104,254

(30,418)

73,836

13,301

95,274

22,652

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

213,796

(33,675)

(2,189)

(1,468)

-

-

(2,490)

-

68,066

(14,737)

53,329

16,916

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

85,446

(9,985)

-

(317)

26

-

(38)

-

38,398

(15,045)

23,353

4,975

340,659

$ 118,147

248,016

$

67,242

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

5,362

(222)

(937)

(2,074)

-

101,828

(5,409)

681

97,989

(1,562)

96,427

20,723

272,609

(235,545)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

(169)

(3,460)

(28)

-

-

(294)

-

(1,372)

(1,158)

(2,530)

3,023

89,138

5,921

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

(282)

(14,276)

(116)

-

-

(65)

-

(15,178)

1,051

(14,127)

22,333

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

855,275

(82,756)

(27,727)

(6,199)

1,190

101,828

(8,126)

681

471,264

(117,118)

354,146

145,763

597,694

$ 1,951,796

86,926

$

349,709

PERU

MExICO

ARGEN-
TINA

BOLIVIA

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

HUARON

MOROCOCHA

QUIRUVILCA

ALAMO
DORADO

LA
COLORADA

MANANTIAL 
ESPEJO

SAN 
VICENTE

PAS CORP.

OTHER

AQUILINE 
GROUP

Revenue from external customers

$ 75,759

Depreciation and amortization

Exploration and project development

Interest and financing expenses

Gain (loss) on disposition of assets

Loss on derivatives

Foreign exchange gain (loss) 

Loss on commodity and  
foreign currency contracts

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

Income tax expense

Net earnings (loss) for the year

Capital expenditures

Total assets

Total liabilities

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(4,143)

-

(611)

13

-

2,046

(7)

$ 16,438

$

(5,432)

$ 11,006

$

6,606

$ 54,731

$ 18,741

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

89,879

(6,882)

-

(674)

640

-

(80)

(41)

27,943

(5,674)

22,269

16,685

139,952

51,067

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

52,745

$  147,454

-

-

(1,202)

-

-

(2,616)

(34)

9,180

$ (24,184)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(25)

(328)

(17)

-

(522)

-

80,798

(3,932)

$ (29,874)

5,248

-

$

$

50,924

2,132

80,592

$ 137,265

57,161

$

30,934

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

73,428

(4,596)

(598)

(270)

(6)

-

(353)

-

33,349

(14,093)

19,256

9,118

49,758

12,798

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

140,198

(30,221)

(1,263)

(1,015)

-

-

(1,547)

-

32,357

(8,370)

23,987

7,021

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

67,090

(12,508)

-

(549)

21

-

44

-

20,207

(15,141)

5,066

6,007

319,004

$ 121,287

263,149

$

92,378

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

(126)

(2,720)

(1,070)

-

(90,661)

4,709

(155)

(94,592)

(5,903)

(100,495)

193

250,884

(154,110)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

(145)

(11,371)

-

-

-

-

-

(10,590)

215

(10,375)

154

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

(279)

(8,550)

(11)

-

-

5

-

(9,168)

(2,011)

(11,179)

21,039

TOTAL

646,553

(83,084)

(24,527)

(5,730)

651

(90,661)

1,686

(237)

105,922

(90,215)

15,707

68,955

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,416

$ 574,907

$ 1,738,796

(11,382)

$

28,051

$

388,787

PERU

MExICO

AS AT JANUARY 1, 2010

ARGEN-
TINA

BOLIVIA

HUARON MOROCOCHA

QUIRUVILCA

ALAMO
DORADO

LA
COLORADA

MANANTIAL 
ESPEJO

SAN 
VICENTE

PAS CORP.

OTHER

AQUILINE 
GROUP

TOTAL

Total assets

Total liabilities

$

$

56,274

8,349

$

$

111,434

44,931

$

$

55,360

$ 148,003

60,053

$

55,588

$

$

47,712

16,964

$

$

326,872

295,003

$

$

128,890

104,630

$

$

126,236

(321,064)

$

$

8,168

(28,707)

$

$

561,370

$ 1,570,319

20,285

$

256,032

Product Revenue

Refined silver and gold

Zinc concentrate

Lead concentrate

Copper concentrate

Total

$

$

2011

432,634 $

67,037

156,960

198,644

855,275 $

2010

313,286

75,345

97,538

160,384

646,553

The  Company  has  10  customers  that  account  for  100%  of  the  concentrate  and  silver  and  gold  sales  revenue. The  Company  has  4 
customers that accounted for 34%, 21%, 15% and 14% of total sales in 2011, and 4 customers that accounted for 24%, 22%, 18% and 
11% of total sales in 2010.  The loss of certain of these customers or curtailment of purchases by such customers could have a material 
adverse affect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.  

88

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

19.  OTHER INCOME

Insurance proceeds, net1

Royalties income

Transaction break fee 

Reversal of present value long term receivable

Chinalco grants (Note 7)

Other

Total

1  Represents insurance recoveries related to the theft of doré at one of the Company’s mines.

20.  INCOME TAxES

Current taxes

Current tax expense in respect of the current year

Adjustments recognized in the current year with respect to prior years

Deferred taxes

Deferred tax expense recognized in the current year

Adjustments recognized in the current year with respect to prior years

$

$

2011

3,849 $

1,039

1,400

2,174

4,546

2,720

15,728 $

2010

3,727

430

-

-

-

370

4,527

2011

2010

110,620

(1,273)

109,347

4,133

3,638

7,771

73,786

(28)

73,758

16,457

-

16,457

90,215

Provision for income taxes

$

117,118 $

As of January 1, 2011, the applicable income tax rate in Canada was reduced from 28.5% to 26.5%.  The change in tax rate has no income 
tax impact.

Income tax expense differs from the amounts that would result from applying the Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates to 
earnings before income taxes. These differences result from the items shown on the following table, which result in effective tax rates 
that vary considerably from the comparable periods. The main factors which have affected the effective tax rates for the year ended 
December  31,  2011  and  the  comparable  period  of  2010  were  the  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  the  Company’s  warrants  position, 
foreign income tax rate differentials and foreign exchange gains and losses. The Company expects that these and other factors will 
continue to cause volatility in effective tax rates in the future.

Income before taxes 

Statutory tax rate

Income tax expense based on above rates

Increase (decrease) due to:

Non-deductible expenses

(Increase) decrease to estimated deductible expenses

   Change in net deferred tax assets not recognized

   Non-taxable unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments - warrants 

Foreign tax rate differences

Effect of other taxes paid (mining and withholding)

Change in net deferred tax assets not recognized for exploration expenses

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

Other

Effective tax rate

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

$

471,264 $

26.50%

124,885

2,028

(12,986)

286

(26,984)

14,642

9,914

6,207

2,277

(3,151)

117,118 $

24.85%

$

2010

105,922

28.50%

30,188

1,731

5,099

1,543

25,416

3,179

10,008

6,214

3,866

2,971

90,215

85.17%

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

89

DEfERRED TAx ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following is the analysis of the deferred tax assets (liabilities) presented in the consolidated financial statements:

Net deferred assets (liabilities) beginning of year 

Recognized in net earnings or loss in current year

Net deferred assets (liabilities) end of year

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

$

$

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

(42,978) $

(7,771)

(50,749) $

4,170

(54,919)

(50,749)

2010

(26,521)

(16,457)

(42,978)

6,826

(49,804)

(42,978)

COMPONENTS Of DEfERRED TAx ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the various temporary differences as detailed below:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

2010

Jan 1, 2010

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) arising from:

Closure and decommissioning costs

$

11,604 $

13,624

$

Tax Losses

Provision for doubtful debts and inventory adjustments

Provision for employee (vacation, severance, retirement)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Trade and other receivables

Mineral properties, plant, and equipment

Estimated sales provisions

Prepaids and other current assets

Other temporary differences and provisions

-

345

92

6,657

15,103

(71,300)

(14,616)

(1,000)

2,366

-

1,334

801

3,831

-

(60,824)

(4,912)

-

3,168

11,574

4,701

508

712

488

-

(46,727)

(524)

-

2,747

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

$

(50,749) $

(42,978)

$

(26,521)

90

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
 
UNRECOGNIzED DEDUCTIBLE TEMPORARY DIffERENCES, UNUSED TAx LOSSES AND UNUSED TAx CREDITS                                       

Deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits for which no deferred tax assets have been recognized are 
attributable to the following:

Tax loss (revenue in nature)

Tax loss (capital in nature)

Resource pools

Financing fees

Donations

Property plant and equipment

Closure and decommissioning costs

Exploration expenses

Vacation accruals

Other temporary differences

$

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2011

86,015 $

10,022

12,773

9,650

-

5,524

17,567

11,971

1,048

98

2010

132,668

10,034

12,773

6,207

1,832

3,805

23,750

3,738

-

-

$

154,668 $

194,807

Included in the tax losses above are Canadian losses of $78.2 million which if not utilized, will expire as follows: 2013 - $0.4 million, 2014 
- $16.3 million, 2015 - $21.0 million, 2016 - $0.8 million and from 2027 to 2031 - $39.7 million. Mexican losses of $7.8 million which if not 
utilized, will expire as follows: 2021 – $6.1 million, 2022 – $1.7 million.

TEMPORARY DIffERENCES ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES                                       

As at December 31, 2011, temporary differences of $138.7 million (2010 – $204.5 million) associated with the investments in subsidiaries 
have not been recognized as the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of these differences which are not expected to 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

21.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

a.  General

The Company is subject to various investigations, claims and legal and tax proceedings covering matters that arise in the ordinary 
course of business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters 
may be resolved unfavorably to the Company. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which 
may result in a loss to the Company.  In the opinion of management none of these matters are expected to have a material effect 
on the results of operations or financial conditions of the Company. 

b.  Purchase Commitments

The Company had no purchase commitments other than those commitments described in Note 4.

c.  Credit Facility

On  October  10,  2008,  Pan  American  entered  into  a  $70  million  revolving  credit  facility  (“the  Facility”)  with  Scotia  Capital  and 
Standard Bank Plc (“the Lenders”). The purpose of the Facility is for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. The Facility, 
which is principally secured by a pledge of Pan American’s equity interests in its material subsidiaries, had a term of four years.  
On December 20, 2010 the Company amended the Facility by, among other things, extending the term to December 20, 2014 and 
increased the amount of the Facility to $150 million by expanding the number of Lenders to include West LB, CIBC and BMO. The 
interest margin on the renewed Facility ranges from 3.00% to 4.00% over LIBOR, based on the Company’s net debt to EBITDA ratio. 
Pan American has agreed to pay a commitment fee of between 0.90% and 1.20% on undrawn amounts under the Facility, depending 
on the Company’s net debt to EBITDA ratio. As at December 31, 2011, the Company has made no drawings under this Facility.

d.  Environmental Matters

The  Company’s  mining  and  exploration  activities  are  subject  to  various  laws  and  regulations  governing  the  protection  of  the 
environment. These  laws  and  regulations  are  continually  changing  and  are  generally  becoming  more  restrictive. The  Company 
conducts  its  operations  so  as  to  protect  the  public  health  and  environment  and  believes  its  operations  are  in  compliance  with 
applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures 
to comply with such laws and regulations, but cannot predict the full amount of such future expenditures. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

91

 
 
Estimated future reclamation costs are based on the extent 
of work required and the associated costs are dependent on 
the requirements of relevant authorities and the Company’s 
environmental policies. As of December 31, 2011, December 
31,  2010  and  January  1,  2010,  $55.8  million,  $71.6  million 
and $57.3 million, respectively, were accrued for reclamation 
costs relating to mineral properties. See also Note 10. 

e. 

Income Taxes
The  Company  operates  in  numerous  countries  around  the 
world and accordingly it is subject to, and pays annual income 
taxes under the various income tax regimes in the countries 
in which it operates. Some of these tax regimes are defined 
by  contractual  agreements  with  the  local  government,  and 
others  are  defined  by  the  general  corporate  income  tax 
laws of the country. The Company has historically filed, and 
continues to file, all required income tax returns and to pay 
the  taxes  reasonably  determined  to  be  due. The  tax  rules 
and  regulations  in  many  countries  are  highly  complex  and 
subject to interpretation. From time to time the Company is 
subject  to  a  review  of  its  historic  income  tax  filings  and  in 
connection  with  such  reviews,  disputes  can  arise  with  the 
taxing  authorities  over  the  interpretation  or  application  of 
certain  rules  to  the  Company’s  business  conducted  within 
the country involved. The long term portion of the Company’s 
current  income  taxes  payable  is  classified  as  long  term  in 
Note 12.

i.  Other Legal Matters

The  Company  is  subject  to  various  claims  and  legal 
proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in 
the  ordinary  course  of  business  activities,  many  of  them 
relating  to  ex-employees.    Each  of  these  matters  is  subject 
to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these 
matters  may  be  resolved  unfavorably  to  the  Company.  
The  Company  establishes  provisions  for  matters  that  are 
probable and can be reasonably estimated, included within 
current liabilities, and amounts are not considered material.

In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings 
that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims 
that  may  result  in  such  proceedings,  the  Company  and  its 
legal  counsel  evaluate  the  perceived  merits  of  any  legal 
proceedings  or  unasserted  claims  as  well  as  the  perceived 
merits  of  the  amount  of  relief  sought  or  expected  to  be 
sought. In the opinion of management there are no  claims 
expected to have a material effect on the results of operations 
or financial condition of the Company.

j.  Title Risk

Although  the  Company  has  taken  steps  to  verify  title  to 
properties in which it has an interest, these procedures do not 
guarantee the Company’s title. Property title may be subject 
to,  among  other  things,  unregistered  prior  agreements  or 
transfers and may be affected by undetected defects.

f.  Finance Leases

k.  Royalty Agreements and Participation Agreements 

The  present  value  of  future  minimum  lease  payments 
classified  as  finance  leases  at  December  31,  2011  is  $9.8 
million  (2010:  $0.12  million)  and  the  schedule  of  timing  of 
payments for this obligation is found in Note 4.

g.  Law changes in Argentina

On  October  26,  2011  the  Federal  Government  of Argentina 
promulgated an “economic emergency” decree requiring all 
oil, gas and mining exporters to repatriate 100% of revenue 
receipts,  in  an  attempt  to  stem  ongoing  capital  flight.  Pan 
American  is  currently  assessing  the  implications  the  new 
regulation  will  have  on  its  Manantial  Espejo  mine  and  its 
development  projects  in  Chubut  and  Rio  Negro.  Currently, 
management  believes  that  the  likely  impact  would  come 
in  the  form  of  additional  transaction  fees  associated  with 
the  repatriation  of  funds;  however,  the  precise  methods  of 
application  of  the  decree  are  still  being  formulated  by  the 
Government  and  are  being  analyzed  by  the  Company  as 
further details are determined.

h.  Political changes in Bolivia

In  late  2005,  a  national  election  in  Bolivia  resulted  in  the 
emergence  of  a  left-wing  government.  This  has  caused 
some  concerns  amongst  foreign  companies  doing  business 
in  Bolivia  due  to  the  government’s  policy  objective  of 
nationalizing the oil and gas industries. There is no certainty 
the  government  of  Bolivia  will  not  take  steps  to  implement 
such  measures  targeting  the  mining  industry,  and  in  early 
2009, a new constitution was enacted that further entrenches 
the  government’s  ability  to  amend  or  enact  such  laws, 
including  those  that  may  affect  mining.  Risks  of  doing 
business in Bolivia include being subject to new higher taxes 
and  mining  royalties  (some  of  which  have  already  been 
proposed or threatened), revision of contracts and threatened 
expropriation  of  assets,  all  of  which  could  have  a  material 
adverse impact on the Company’s operations or profitability.

92

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

The  Company  has  various  royalty  agreements  on  certain 
mineral  properties  entitling  the  counterparties  to  the 
agreements to receive payments per terms as summarized 
below.  Royalty 
incurred  on  acquisitions  of 
properties are netted against mineral property while royalties 
that become payable upon production are expensed at the 
time of sale of the production.

liabilities 

On September 22, 2011, Peru’s Parliament approved new laws 
that increase mining taxes to fund anti-poverty infrastructure 
projects in the country, effective October 1, 2011. The new law 
changes  the  scheme  for  royalty  payments,  so  that  mining 
companies  that  have  not  signed  legal  stability  agreements 
with the government will have to pay royalties of 1% to 12% 
on operating profit; royalties under the previous rules were 
1%  to  3%  on  net  sales.  In  addition  to  these  royalties,  such 
companies will be subject to a “special tax” at a rate ranging 
from  2%  to  8.4%  of  operating  profit.  Companies  that  have 
concluded  legal  stability  agreements  (under  the  General 
Mining Law) will be required to pay a “special contribution” 
of  between  4%  and  13.12%  of  operating  profits.  The 
Company’s calculations of the change in the royalty and the 
new tax indicate that no material impact is expected on the 
results of the Company’s Peruvian operations.

In  the  Province  of  Chubut, Argentina  which  is  the  location 
of  the  Company’s  Navidad  property,  there  is  a  provincial 
royalty of 3% of the “Operating Income”. Operating income 
is defined as revenue minus production costs (not including 
mining  costs),  treatment  and  transportation  charges.  The 
Navidad property is not subject to any other royalties, back-
in rights, payments, encumbrances or similar agreements.

Huaron, Quiruvilca and Morococha mines
In  June  2004,  Peru’s  Congress  approved  a  bill  that  allows 
royalties  to  be  charged  on  mining  projects.  These  royalties 
are  payable  on  Peruvian  mine  production  at  the  following 
progressive  rates:  (i)  1.0%  for  companies  with  sales  up  to  $60 
million; (ii) 2.0% for companies with sales between $60 million 
and $120 million; and (iii) 3.0% for companies with sales greater 
than  $120  million. This  royalty  is  a  net  smelter  returns  royalty, 
the cost of which is deductible for income tax purposes. Because 
the Huaron and Quiruvilca mines are one legal entity, this royalty 
is calculated on the cumulative production of both mines while 
the calculation of the royalty on Morococha’s production is done 
on this mine alone.

Manantial Espejo mine
Production  from  the  Manantial  Espejo  property  is  subject  to 
royalties to be paid to Barrick according to the following: (i) $0.60 
per metric tonne of ore mined from the property and fed to process 
at a mill or leaching facility to a maximum of 1 million tonnes; and 
(ii) one-half of one percent (0.5%) of net smelter returns derived 
from  the  production  of  minerals  from  the  property.  In  addition, 
the Company has negotiated a royalty equal to 3.0% of operating 
cash flow payable to the Province of Santa Cruz.

San Vicente mine
Pursuant  to  an  option  agreement  entered  into  with  COMIBOL,  a 
Bolivian state mining company, with respect to the development 
of  the  San  Vicente  property,  the  Company  is  obligated  to  pay 
COMIBOL  a  participation  fee  of  37.5%  (the  “Participation  Fee”) 
of  the  operations  cash  flow.  Once  full  commercial  production  of 
San  Vicente  began,  the  Participation  was  reduced  by  75%  until 
the Company recovers its investment in the property.  Thereafter, 
the Participation Fee will revert back to its original percentage.  In 
2011, the royalties to COMIBAL amounted to approximately $12.6 
million.

A  royalty  is  also  payable  to  EMUSA,  a  former  partner  of  the 
Company  on  the  project. The  royalty  is  a  2%  net  smelter  royalty 
payable  only  after  the  Company  has  recovered  its  capital 
investment in the project and only when the average price of silver 
in a given financial quarter is $9.00 per ounce or greater.  Recovery 
of capital investment was not achieved as of December 31, 2011.

In  December  2007,  the  Bolivian  government  introduced  a  new 
mining royalty that affects the San Vicente project. The royalty is 
applied to gross metal value of sales (before smelting and refining 
deductions) and the royalty percentage is a sliding scale depending 
on metal prices. At current metal prices, the royalty is 6% for silver 
metal value and 5% for zinc and copper metal value of sales. The 
royalty is income tax deductible. 

22.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended December 31, 2011, a private company controlled by a director of the Company was paid approximately $0.4 million 
(2010 - $0.4 million) for consulting services. These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange 
amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the parties.

COMPENSATION Of KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

The remuneration of directors and other members of key management personnel during the year was as follows:

Short-term benefits

Share-based payments

$

$

2011

7,451 $

2,245

9,696 $

2010

7,116

2,912

10,028

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

93

 
23.  fIRST TIME ADOPTION Of IfRS

The significant IFRS policies set out in Note 2 have been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements and selected comparative 
information presented below. The following tables reconcile the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position, statements of 
income, comprehensive income and equity prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and as previously reported to those prepared and 
reported in these consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS:

Consolidated Statements of 
Financial Position Reconciliation

DECEMBER 31, 2010

AS AT JANUARY 1, 2010
(Date of transition)

Notes

Canadian 
GAAP

Effect of 
Transition
to IFRS

IFRS

Canadian  
GAAP

Effects of 
Transition 
to IFRS

IFRS 
Opening

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash

Short-term investments

Trade and other receivables

Income taxes receivable

Inventories

Derivative financial instruments

Future income taxes

i(d)

Prepaids and other current assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

$

179,921

$

180,583

66,893

87

106,854

-

8,172

6,520

-

-

-

-

-

-

(8,172)

-

$

179,921

$

100,474

$

180,583

66,893

87

106,854

-

-

6,520

92,623

66,059

12,132

93,446

160

4,993

2,568

-

-

-

-

-

-

(4,993)

-

$

100,474

92,623

66,059

12,132

93,446

160

-

2,568

549,030

(8,172)

540,858

372,455

(4,993)

367,462

Property, plant and equipment, net

i(b),ii(a)

1,492,538

(331,215)

1,161,323

1,457,724

(280,648)

1,177,076

i(c),i(d)

1,251

1,618

28,171

5,575

-

-

  6,826

1,618

28,171

-

7,351

6,521

11,909

-

-

7,351

6,521

11,909

$ 2,072,608

$

(333,812)

$ 1,738,796

$ 1,848,609

$

(278,290)

$ 1,570,319

Deferred tax assets

Other assets

Long-term refundable tax

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Provisions

Current income tax liabilities

Future income taxes

Non-current liabilities

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Share purchase warrants

Other long-term liabilities

Total liabilities

Non-controlling interests

EQUITY

Capital and reserves

Issued capital

Share option reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

vii

vii

i(d)

ii

i

iii

vii

iv

iii

iii

vi

91,211

4,948

4,021

-

100,180

57,273

33,872

43,919

20,788

81,230

-

29,699

4,312

115,241

(3,450)

3,450

-

(4,312)

(4,312)

77,780

3,450

29,699

-

96,159

-

4,021

-

110,929

100,180

(4,948)

4,948

-

-

-

69,463

4,553

331,228

(281,424)

-

28,614

127,890

(2,466)

544,546

(155,759)

74,016

49,804

127,890

26,148

388,787

62,775

(5,502)

305,820

(271,948)

-

43,919

20,788

-

489,563

(233,531)

256,032

7,774

(7,774)

-

15,256

(15,256)

-

1,272,860

4,027

1,276,887

1,206,647

-

1,206,647

45,303

9,346

(38,281)

(1,648)

7,022

7,698

47,293

1,618

88,232

(40,944)

(166)

(4,357)

6,349

1,452

83,875

Retained earnings

i-vi,ix

192,779

(143,028)

49,751

Non-controlling interests

iv

-

8,651

8,651

-

15,964

15,964

Total equity

1,520,288

(170,279)

1,350,009

1,343,790

(29,503)

1,314,287

94

Total liabilities and equity

$ 2,072,608

$

(333,812)

$ 1,738,796

$ 1,848,609

$

(278,290)

$ 1,570,319

1,520,288

(178,930)

1,341,358

1,343,790

(45,467)

1,298,323

(Note 23 continued)
Consolidated Income Statement Reconciliation

Revenue

Production Costs

Depreciation and amortization

Royalties

Mine operating earnings

General and administrative

Exploration and project development

Doubtful accounts and inventory provision

Foreign exchange gain

Loss on commodity and foreign currency contracts

Gain on sale of assets

Other income

Asset retirement and reclamation

Earnings from operations

Loss on derivatives

Investment income

Interest and financing expense

Earnings before taxes

Non-controlling interests

Income taxes

Net earnings for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

Notes

Previous 
GAAP

Effect of 
Transition
to IFRS

IFRS

viii

$

631,986

$

14,567

$

646,553

(283,665)

(24,122)

(307,787)

v

viii

i(a)

ii(b)

iii

(86,483)

(22,031)

239,807

(17,109)

(24,527)

(4,754)

11,058

(237)

651

4,527

(2,929)

206,487

-

961

ii(b)

(2,061)

205,387

(1,827)

(90,987)

iv

i(a-e)

3,399

7,464

1,308

-

-

-

(9,372)

-

-

-

2,929

(5,135)

(83,084)

(14,567)

241,115

(17,109)

(24,527)

(4,754)

1,686

(237)

651

4,527

-

201,352

(90,661)

(90,661)

-

(3,669)

(99,465)

1,827

772

961

(5,730)

105,922

-

(90,215)

$

112,573

$

(96,866)

$

15,707

iv

$

$

-

-

-

$

$

13,711

1,996

15,707

$

$

13,711

1,996

15,707

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Reconciliation

Net earnings for the period

$

112,573

$

(96,866)

$

15,707

Unrealized net gains on available for sale non-monetary securities (net of zero tax)

Reclassification adjustments of net (gains) included in earnings

8,025

(298)

(1,481)

-

6,544

(298)

Total comprehensive income for the period

$

120,300

$

(98,347)

$

21,953

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

See accompanying notes to these statements.

$

$

-

-

-

$

$

19,957

1,996

21,953

$

$

19,957

1,996

21,953

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

95

DECEMBER 31, 2010

Notes

Canadian 
GAAP

Effect of 
Transition
to IFRS

IFRS

$

1,272,860

$

4,027

$

1,276,887

iii

vi

45,303

9,346

(38,281)

(1,648)

7,022

7,698

i-vi, ix

192,779

(143,028)

49,751

1,520,288

(178,930)

1,341,358

iv

-

8,651

8,651

$

1,520,288

$

(170,279)

$ 1,350,009

Notes

DECEMBER 31, 2010

ix

i(a-e),vi

v

ii(a)

iii

vi

iv

iv

192,779

(4,357)

(39,809)

(10,084)

3,400

(2,831)

(90,661)

1,483

1,996

(2,165)

(143,028)

49,751

JANUARY 1, 2010

Notes

Canadian 
GAAP

Effect of 
Transition
to IFRS

IFRS

$

1,206,647

$

-

$ 1,206,647

vi

i-vi, ix

47,293

1,618

88,232

(40,944)

(166)

(4,357)

6,349

1,452

83,875

1,343,790

(45,467)

1,298,323

iv

-

15,964

15,964

$

1,343,790

$

(29,503)

$

1,314,287

(Note 23 continued)
Reconciliation of Total Equity as at December 31, 2010

Capital and reserves

Issued capital

Share option reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders

Non-controlling interests

Total Equity

Retained Earnings Reconciliation:

Canadian GAAP

Effects of Transition to IFRS:

January 1, 2010 adjustments

Aquiline adjustment for changes in ownership interest

Deferred tax and reclassification from foreign exchange gain/loss

Depreciation (mineral property, plant and equipment, net)

Accretion (provision for asset retirement obligation and reclamation)

Fair value of share purchase warrants related to Aquiline

Foreign exchange on available for sale monetary assets

Non-controlling interest

Other

IFRS

Reconciliation of Total Equity as at January 1, 2010

Capital and reserves

Issued capital

Share option reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders

Non-controlling interests

Total Equity

96

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Retained Earnings Reconciliation:

Canadian GAAP

Effects of Transition to IFRS:

Deferred tax and reclassification from foreign exchange gain/loss

Depreciation (mineral property, plant and equipment, net)

Accretion (provision for asset retirement obligation and reclamation)

Fair value of share purchase warrants related to Aquiline

Foreign exchange on available for sale monetary assets (AOCI)

Non-controlling interests

IFRS

i)  DEfERRED TAxES  

Notes

JANUARY 1, 2010

i(a-e),vi

v

ii(a)

iii

vi

iv

88,232

(5,506)

(836)

5,502

(2,975)

166

(708)

(4,357)

83,875

The adjustments to deferred income tax assets and   

liabilities reflect the tax effects under IAS 12 Income 

Taxes:  

a. 

IAS  12  requires  recognition  of  deferred  income  taxes  for 
differences that arise on translation of non-monetary assets 
denominated 
in  currencies  other  than  the  Company’s 
functional  currency. The  tax  bases  of  these  non-monetary 
assets  are  re-measured  from  historical  rates  to  functional 
currency  using  current  exchange  rates. The  difference  as  a 
result of change in exchange rates creates a deferred income 
tax  adjustment.  Under  Canadian  GAAP  (“CGAAP”),  the 
historical  exchange  rates  were  used  and  any  differences 
that  arose  from  re-measurement  were  recorded  as  foreign 
exchange gain or loss.  The Company has mining properties 
in  Argentina,  Peru,  Mexico  and  Bolivia  with  significant 
tax  basis  denominated  in  local  currencies,  the  movement 
between the US dollar and these local currencies gives rise 
to changes in deferred income tax.  

b.  Unlike  CGAAP,  IAS  12  prohibits  the  recognition  of  deferred 
taxes  on  initial  recognition  of  an  asset  or  liability  where 
the  acquisition  is  not  a  business  combination  and  neither 
accounting profit nor taxable profit were affected at the time 
of the transaction. Accordingly, in its opening statement of 
financial  position,  the  Company  has  reversed  the  deferred 
income tax liabilities recognized on acquisition of the assets 
of Aquiline, Manantial Espejo and Alamo Dorado.  

c.  The  deferred  income  tax  expense  booked  on  the  deferred 
component  of  the  employee  profit-sharing  arrangement  at 
some of the Company’s sites is different under IFRS. Unlike 
CGAAP,  the  deferred  component  of  this  employee  benefit 
liability is not recognized under IAS 19 Employee benefits. 
d.  IAS  12  specifies  the  conditions  under  which  an  entity  can 
offset both current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, and 
requires deferred taxes to be presented as non-current.

e.  The tax effects of other IFRS adjustments.

ii)  CLOSURE AND DECOMMISSIONING   

a.  Under 

IAS  37  Provisions,  Contingent  Liabilities  and 
Contingent  Assets,  the  closure  provision  is  measured 
based  on  the  best  estimate  of  expenditure  required  to 
settle  the  obligation  at  the  statement  of  financial  position 
date using current discount rate and inflation assumptions; 
thus  simplifying  the  calculation  by  removing  the  ‘layering’ 
concept used for CGAAP.  In addition, IFRS requires that the 
liability  be  re-measured  at  each  reporting  date  versus  the 

requirement in CGAAP to re-measure in the event of changes 
in the amount or timing of cash flows required to settle the 
obligation.

b.  A  reclassification  of  the  accretion  on  the  closure  and 
decommissioning liability from operating expense to finance 
expense  to  comply  with  the  presentation  requirements  of 
IAS 37.

iii)  SHARE PURCHASE WARRANTS  

Reclassification  of  share  purchase  warrants  that  were 
presented as equity instruments under CGAAP to derivative 
financial  liability  under  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement. Under IFRS, share purchase 
warrants with an exercise price denominated in a currency 
other than the Company's functional currency are classified 
and  accounted  for  as  financial  liabilities  and,  as  such,  are 
measured  at  their  fair  values  with  changes  in  fair  values 
included in net earnings.

iv)  ADJUSTMENTS fOR NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST   

An  adjustment  to  record  the  changes  in  non-controlling 
interests  resulting  from  all  the  IFRS  adjustments  and 
reclassification  of  non-controlling  interests  to  be  included 
in the equity section under IFRS.

v)  DEPRECIATION  

The  adjustment  to  depreciation  is  a  result  of  a  change 
in  the  mineral  property,  plant  and  equipment  basis 
as  a  consequence  of  the  changes  to  the  closure  and 
decommissioning liability at all the mine sites and changes 
related  to  IAS  12  Income  Taxes  as  discussed  above.  In 
addition, a presentation adjustment to include depreciation 
and amortization expenses as part of cost of sales.  

vi)  fOREIGN ExCHANGE GAINS OR LOSSES ON AVAILABLE-fOR-SALE  

MONETARY SECURITIES  
A reclassification of the unrealized foreign exchange gains 
or  losses  on  available  for  sale  monetary  securities  from 
other  comprehensive  income  (under  CGAAP)  to  earnings 
for  the  period  (to  retained  earnings  on  transition  date)  to 
comply with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

97

 
 
vii) PROVISIONS 

b.  Decommissioning Liability Exemption

IFRS  1  indicates  that  a  first-time  adopter  may  elect  not 
to  apply  IFRIC  1  Changes  in  Existing  Decommissioning, 
Restoration  and  Similar  Liabilities  retrospectively.  The 
Company  applied  this  election  and  accordingly  measured 
the  decommissioning  liability  as  at  the  date  of  transition 
to  IFRS  in  accordance  with  IAS  37  Provisions,  Contingent 
Liabilities  and  Contingent  Assets  and  estimated  the 
amounts  that  would  have  been  included  in  the  cost  of 
the  related  mineral  property,  plant  and  equipment  and 
recalculated the accumulated depreciation for those assets 
at January 1, 2010.

c.  Business Combination Exemption

IFRS  1  allows  a  first-time  adopter  to  avoid  application  of 
IFRS 3R Business Combinations retrospectively to business 
combinations  that  occurred  before  either  the  date  of 
transition  to  IFRS  or  an  alternative  pre-transition  date. The 
Company applied this exemption to business combinations 
that occurred prior to January 1, 2010.

d.  Share-Based Payment Exemption

IFRS 1 gives a first-time adopter the option to not apply IFRS 
2  Share-Based  Payment  to  (i)  equity  instruments  that  were 
granted  for  the  periods  on  or  before  November  7,  2002  or 
after  November  7,  2002  but  that  vested  before  the  date  of 
transition to IFRS and (ii) liabilities arising from cash-settled 
share-based  payment  transactions  if  those  liabilities  were 
settled before January 1, 2005 or before the date of transition 
to IFRS. The Company elected to apply this exemption on its 
January 1, 2010 date of transition to IFRS.

e.  Leases Exemption  

IFRS  1  provides  a  first-time  adopter  with  an  option  to 
not  apply  certain  requirements  under 
IAS  17  Leases 
retrospectively. The  Company  applied  two  exemptions  and 
accordingly  assessed  whether  an  arrangement  contains 
a  lease  on  the  basis  of  facts  and  circumstances  existing  at 
the  date  of  transition  to  IFRS.  Secondly,  the  Company  did 
not reassess the determination of whether an arrangement 
contains a lease under IFRS if the determination made under 
CGAAP gave the same outcome as that from the application 
of  IAS  17  Leases  and  IFRIC  4  Determining  Whether  an 
Arrangement Contains a Lease.

f.  Borrowing Costs Exemption  

This  exemption  in  IFRS  1  allows  a  first-time  adopter 
to  apply  the  transitional  provisions  set  out  in  IAS  23 
Borrowing Costs at January 1, 2009 or the date of transition 
to IFRS, whichever is later. IAS 23 requires the capitalization 
of  borrowing  costs  related  to  all  qualifying  assets.  The 
Company  elected  to  apply  IAS  23  Borrowing  Costs  to 
qualifying  assets  for  which  the  commencement  date  for 
capitalization is on or after January 1, 2010.  

A  reclassification  of  the  current  portion  of 
provision from trade and other payables to provisions.  

litigation 

viii) ROYALTY 

A reclassification of royalty expenses from revenue to cost 
of sales to comply with the definition of Revenue under IAS 
18 Revenue. 

ix)  CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS  

During  the  first  quarter  of  2010,  the  Company  increased  a 
controlling  ownership  interest  in  a  business  (Aquiline)  by 
7%.  Under  IFRS,  changes  in  ownership  interest  that  do 
not  result  in  a  loss  of  control  are  accounted  for  as  equity 
transactions  and  the  carrying  amounts  of  the  controlling 
and  non-controlling  interests  are  adjusted  to  reflect  the 
changes in their relative interests in the subsidiary. Under 
the CGAAP policy of the entity, such changes were treated 
as  step  acquisitions  requiring  an  increase  in  the  carrying 
value  of  the  consolidated  business.  An  adjustment  was 
required  in  the  first  quarter  of  2010  in  order  to  adjust  the 
IFRS  financial  statements  for  the  impact  of  this  GAAP 
difference  and  appropriately  account  for  this  change  as 
an  equity  transaction  under  IFRS.  Accordingly,  a  $39.8 
million  adjustment  was  charged  to  equity  (within  retained 
earnings) under IFRS for this period.  This is disclosed in the 
statement of equity prepared under IFRS for the year ended 
December 31, 2010. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT Of CASH fLOWS 
RECONCILIATION                                       

The  adoption  of  IFRS  has  not  had  any  impact  on  the  net  cash 
flows  of  the  Company,  with  the  exception  of  the  treatment  of 
advances received for construction and equipment leases which 
under  CGAAP  are  applied  to  capital  for  net  investing  whereas 
under  IFRS  they  are  included  in  income.  Additionally,  the 
changes made to the statements of financial position and income 
statements have resulted in reclassifications of various amounts 
on the statements of cash flows, however as there have been no 
significant change to the net cash flows, no reconciliations have 
been presented.

fIRST TIME ADOPTION ExEPTIONS APPLIED   

IFRS  1  First-time  Adoption  of  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards,  which  governs  the  first-time  adoption  of  IFRS,  in 
general requires accounting policies to be applied retrospectively 
to  determine  the  opening  statement  of  financial  position  at  the 
Company’s  transition  date  of  January  1,  2010,  unless  certain 
exemptions  are  applied. The  exemptions  that  the  Company  has 
elected to apply are:

a.  Deemed Cost Exemption

IFRS  1  provides  an  option  that  allows  a  first-time  adopter 
to  elect  to  use  a  previous  GAAP  revaluation  of  an  item 
of  property,  plant  and  equipment  at  or  before  the  date 
of  transition  to  IFRS  as  deemed  cost  at  the  date  of  the 
revaluation,  if  the  revaluation  was,  at  the  date  of  the 
revaluation, broadly comparable to fair value. The Company 
had previously revalued the property, plant and equipment 
assets at Quiruvilca and La Colorada as a result of a CGAAP 
impairment,  and  has  elected  these  revalued  amounts  less 
subsequent depreciation as the deemed cost at the date of 
transition to IFRS.

98

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

 
24.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On January 23, 2012, Pan American and Minefinders Corporation 
Ltd.  (“Minefinders”)  announced  that  they  have  entered  into  a 
definitive agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) pursuant to 
which Pan American will acquire all of the issued and outstanding 
common shares of Minefinders by way of a plan of arrangement.  
Under  the  terms  of  the  Arrangement  Agreement,  Minefinders’ 
shareholders  will  be  entitled  to  receive,  in  exchange  for  each 
Minefinders’  share  held,  either:  (i)  0.55  shares  of  Pan  American 
and  CAD$1.84  in  cash;  or  (ii)  0.6235  shares  of  Pan American;  or 
(iii) CAD$15.60 in cash, subject to pro-ration under total aggregate 
cash  and  share  pools. The  consideration  represents  a  total  offer 
value  of  CAD$15.60  per  Minefinders’  share  and  implies  a  total 
transaction value of CAD$1.38 billion. The agreement also provides 
for  reciprocal  termination  payments  of  approximately  CAD$42 
million  and  reciprocal  expense  reimbursement  of  payments  of 
approximately CAD$5 million in certain specified circumstances.   

Following  completion  of  the  transaction,  former  Minefinders 
security  holders  will  own  up  to  approximately  32%  of  Pan 
American,  on  a  fully-diluted  basis.  The  proposed  acquisition 
is  subject  to  approval  by  Pan  American’s  shareholders  and 
Minefinders’ security holders, and the terms and conditions for 
the proposed transaction will be summarized in the management 
information  circulars 
to  Pan  American’s 
to  be  provided 
shareholders  and  Minefinders’  security  holders. The  Company’s 
management information circular relating to the acquisition was 
mailed out to its shareholders in February 2012. A special meeting 
of the Company’s shareholders will take place on March 26, 2012. 
If  approved  by  Pan  American’s  shareholders  and  Minefinders’ 
security holders, the Company expects to complete the proposed 
transaction by the end of March 2012. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

99

NOTES:

100

PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Operations/Projects Map

Financial Highlights

Chairman’s Message to the Shareholders

President’s Message to the Shareholders

The Silver Market 2011

Growth Through Exploration

Growth Through Sustainability

Cautionary Note to US Investors

Properties at a Glance

Financial Statements

Corporate Information

02

03

04

06

08

09

10

12

13

14

IBC

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2010 
Our 2010 Sustainability Report describes our 
pioneering work in environmental performance, 
health and safety and community relations. 
Download a copy at: 
www.panamericansilver.com/sustainability/
sustainability-report/

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

CERTAIN OF THE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT CONSTITUTE “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE 

SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND “FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION” WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO 

THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS. ALL STATEMENTS, OTHER THAN STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FACT, ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. WHEN USED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT 

THE WORDS, “BELIEVES”, “EXPECTS”, “INTENDS”, “PLANS”, “FORECAST”, “OBJECTIVE”, “OUTLOOK”, “POTENTIAL”, “ANTICIPATED”, AND OTHER SIMILAR WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS, IDENTIFY 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION RELATE TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS: FUTURE PRODUCTION OF SILVER, 

GOLD AND OTHER METALS; FUTURE CASH COSTS PER OUNCE OF SILVER; THE PRICE OF SILVER AND OTHER METALS; THE EFFECTS OF LAWS, REGULATIONS AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES 

AFFECTING PAN AMERICAN’S OPERATIONS OR POTENTIAL FUTURE OPERATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LAWS IN THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT, ARGENTINA, WHICH, CURRENTLY 

HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON MINING; FUTURE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAVIDAD PROJECT, THE LA PRECIOSA PROJECT, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF 

THE COMPANY; THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE COMPANY’S CURRENT WORKING CAPITAL, ANTICIPATED OPERATING CASH FLOW OR ITS ABILITY TO RAISE NECESSARY FUNDS; THE EFFECTS OF 

FUTURE ACQUISITIONS AND THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ANY SUCH ACQUISITIONS; THE ACCURACY OF MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES; 

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION RATES FOR SILVER AND OTHER PAYABLE METALS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; TIMING OF PRODUCTION AND THE CASH AND TOTAL COSTS OF PRODUCTION 

AT EACH OF THE COMPANY’S PROPERTIES; THE ESTIMATED COST OF AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINING CAPITAL; ONGOING OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 

PLANS AND CAPITAL REPLACEMENT, IMPROVEMENT OR REMEDIATION PROGRAMS; THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, INCLUDING A REDUCTION 

IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, AND TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABILITY IN ITS OPERATIONS AND PROJECTS; THE ESTIMATES OF EXPECTED OR ANTICIPATED ECONOMIC RETURNS FROM 

THE COMPANY’S MINING PROJECTS, AS REFLECTED IN TECHNICAL REPORTS OR OTHER ANALYSES PREPARED IN RELATION TO DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS; ESTIMATED EXPLORATION 

EXPENDITURES TO BE INCURRED ON THE COMPANY’S VARIOUS PROPERTIES; FORECAST CAPITAL AND NON-OPERATING SPENDING; FUTURE SALES OF THE METALS, CONCENTRATES OR 

OTHER PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; AND THE COMPANY’S PLANS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR ITS PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONS. 

THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE COMPANY’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE NECESSARILY BASED UPON A NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES 

THAT, WHILE CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY THE COMPANY, ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS, ECONOMIC, COMPETITIVE, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UNCERTAINTIES 

AND CONTINGENCIES. MANY FACTORS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM 

THE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT ARE OR MAY BE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT 

AND THE COMPANY HAS MADE ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES BASED ON OR RELATED TO MANY OF THESE FACTORS. SUCH FACTORS INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION: FLUCTUATIONS 

IN SPOT AND FORWARD MARKETS FOR SILVER, GOLD, BASE METALS AND CERTAIN OTHER COMMODITIES (SUCH AS NATURAL GAS, FUEL OIL AND ELECTRICITY); FLUCTUATIONS IN 

CURRENCY MARKETS (SUCH AS THE PERUVIAN SOL, MEXICAN PESO, ARGENTINE PESO, BOLIVIAN BOLIVIANO AND CANADIAN DOLLAR VERSUS THE U.S. DOLLAR); RISKS RELATED 

TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL NATURE OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS; CHANGES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATION, TAXATION, CONTROLS OR 

REGULATIONS AND POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, MEXICO, PERU, ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA OR OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE COMPANY MAY 

CARRY ON BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE; RISKS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUSINESS OF MINERAL EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND MINING (INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL 

HAZARDS, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, UNUSUAL OR UNEXPECTED GEOLOGICAL OR STRUCTURAL FORMATIONS, PRESSURES, CAVE-INS AND FLOODING); RISKS RELATING TO THE CREDIT 

WORTHINESS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION OF SUPPLIERS, REFINERS AND OTHER PARTIES WITH WHOM THE COMPANY DOES BUSINESS; INADEQUATE INSURANCE, OR INABILITY TO OBTAIN 

INSURANCE, TO COVER THESE RISKS AND HAZARDS; EMPLOYEE RELATIONS; RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND CLAIMS BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS; AVAILABILITY 

AND INCREASING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MINING INPUTS AND LABOUR; THE SPECULATIVE NATURE OF MINERAL EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE RISKS OF 

OBTAINING NECESSARY LICENSES AND PERMITS AND THE PRESENCE OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT MAY IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON MINING, INCLUDING THOSE CURRENTLY IN 

THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT, ARGENTINA; DIMINISHING QUANTITIES OR GRADES OF MINERAL RESERVES AS PROPERTIES ARE MINED; GLOBAL FINANCIAL CONDITIONS; THE COMPANY’S 

ABILITY TO COMPLETE AND SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS AND TO MITIGATE OTHER BUSINESS COMBINATION RISKS; CHALLENGES TO, OR DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING, THE 

COMPANY’S TITLE TO PROPERTIES AND CONTINUED OWNERSHIP THEREOF; THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF CURRENT EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, CONCLUSIONS OF ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS, 

AND CHANGES IN PROJECT PARAMETERS TO DEAL WITH UNANTICIPATED ECONOMIC OR OTHER FACTORS; INCREASED COMPETITION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY FOR PROPERTIES, 

EQUIPMENT, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, AND THEIR COSTS; AND THOSE FACTORS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE CAPTION “RISKS RELATED TO PAN AMERICAN’S BUSINESS” IN THE COMPANY’S 

MOST RECENT FORM 40-F AND ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES 

REGULATORY AUTHORITIES. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST ATTRIBUTING UNDUE CERTAINTY OR RELIANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY 

HAS ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY, THERE MAY BE OTHER FACTORS THAT CAUSE RESULTS NOT TO BE AS 

ANTICIPATED, ESTIMATED, DESCRIBED OR INTENDED. THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND, AND DOES NOT ASSUME ANY OBLIGATION, TO UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

OR INFORMATION TO REFLECT CHANGES IN ASSUMPTIONS OR CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES OR ANY OTHER EVENTS AFFECTING SUCH STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION, OTHER THAN AS 

REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW. 

DIRECTORS

Ross J. Beaty – Chairman
Geoff A. Burns – President & Chief Executive Officer 
Michael Carroll (Independent)
Noel Dunn (Independent)
Michael J.J. Maloney (Independent)
Robert Pirooz – General Counsel
David Press (Independent)
Walter Segsworth (Independent)

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT – VANCOUVER

Geoff Burns – President & Chief Executive Officer
Steven Busby – Chief Operating Officer 
Ignacio Couturier – Treasurer  
Andres Dasso – Sr. VP, Mining Operations 
Rob Doyle – Chief Financial Officer 
Delaney Fisher – Corporate Secretary & Legal Counsel
George Greer – VP, Project Development
Sean McAleer – VP, Human Resources & Security
Robert Pirooz – General Counsel 
Michael Steinmann – Executive VP, Geology & Exploration
Wayne Vincent – VP, Accounting & Financial Reporting
Martin Wafforn – VP, Technical Services

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Four Seasons Hotel, Arbutus Room
791 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC 

MANANTIAL ESPEJO | ARGENTINA

AUDITORS

Deloitte & Touche LLP, Chartered Accountants
2800 – 1055 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V7X 1P4

LEGAL COUNSEL

Borden Ladner Gervais
1200 – 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada, V7X 1T2

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL

200,000,000 common shares without par value

ISSUED CAPITAL

December 31, 2011: 104,492,743 common shares

TRADING INFORMATION

NASDAQ: PAAS
TSX: PAA

REGISTRAR & TRANSFER AGENT

Computershare Investor Services Inc.
510 Burrard Street, 3rd Floor
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V6C 3B9
1-800-564-6253

VANCOUVER OFFICE 
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Pan American Silver Corp.
1500 – 625 Howe Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V6C 2T6

T. 604-684-1175 
F. 604-684-0147
info@panamericansilver.com

www.panamericansilver.com

ARGENTINA OFFICE 

Pan American Silver Argentina  
T. 54 -11-4816-3220 
F. 54 -11-4816-3227 
Country Manager – Bret Boster 

MEXICO OFFICE

Plata Panamericana S.A. de C.V. 
T. 52-618-128-0709 x 101 
F. 52-618-128-0692 x 102 
Country Manager – Chris Warwick

BOLIVIA OFFICE

PERU OFFICE

Pan American Silver (Bolivia) S.A. 
T. 59 -1-2-279-6690  
F. 59 -1221-54216 
Country Manager – Gary Hannan 

Pan American Silver Peru S.A.C.
T. 51-1-618-9700 
F. 51-1-618-9729
Country Manager – Jorge Ugarte 

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PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR

GROWTH

ANNUAL REPORT 2011