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IMPACT SILVER CORP — Interim / Quarterly Report 2021
May 25, 2021
42671_rns_2021-05-25_564d4b74-cfc8-44af-a09a-017654fefb2e.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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IMPACT Silver Corp. Form 51-102F1 Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
INTRODUCTION
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is for the three months ended March 31, 2021 of IMPACT Silver Corp. (“IMPACT” or the “Company”) prepared as at May 21, 2021 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes contained therein. All amounts referred to herein are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified. Additional information relating to the Company including material change notices, certifications of annual and interim filings and press releases are available on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com.
This document contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to “NOTE REGARDING FORWARDLOOKING STATEMENTS.”
CORPORATE OVERVIEW
IMPACT controls the majority of two large mineral districts totalling 211 km[2] in central Mexico: the Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver District and the Capire Mineral District adjacent to and southwest of the Zacualpan district. IMPACT has been in continuous production at the Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver District for over 15 years.
IMPACT is considered one of the purest silver producers. IMPACT’s primary production metal is silver and with over 90% of its revenues currently generated by silver it is highly leveraged to the silver price. Trading volumes have been substantial over the last year, as the market appears to recognize the relationship with the price of silver.
Since 2006, the Company has carried out programs of exploration, development and mine production in both districts, bringing nine sites from exploration drilling to development and mining. IMPACT has produced approximately 10.9 million ounces of silver since 2006 and generated over $212 million in revenues. As a result, a significant portion of over $68 million in capital expenditures and exploration on the properties has been funded by operations, and the company still has no long-term debt.
Total revenues for the quarter were $5.4 million compared to $3.4 million for the comparable period in 2020, with mine operating earnings before amortization and depletion[1] of $1.9 million compared to $0.3 million in Q1 2020. After a stock-based compensation provision of $0.9 million, the Company incurred an accounting loss of $0.3 million.
Mine operating income was $1.7 million in Q1 2021 compared to a loss of $0.1 million in Q1 2020 as improved costs controls and silver prices both continued to contribute to better operating results.
In Q1 2021, cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 million and an additional $0.9 million in cash was generated through the exercise of warrants and stock options. At the end of the quarter, cash was $21.7 million, up from $3.9 million at March 31, 2020. Working capital at March 31, 2021 was $21.9 million compared to $3.4 million March 31, 2020. In 2020, the Company generated cash of $5.3 million from the
1 Mine operating earnings before amortization and depletion is a non-IFRS measure which the Company believes provides meaningful information about the Company’s financial performance. See “Non-IFRS MEASURES”.
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exercise of warrants and stock options, and net proceeds of $10.8 million from private placements, which along with its improved financial performance and increased operating efficiencies, have favorably positioned the Company to carry out its objectives for 2021.
During the 4[th] quarter of 2020, the Company optioned approximately 1,100 hectares of its Zacualpan S.E. concession to Pantera Silver Corp. In Q1 2021 Pantera made a payment of $50,000 in cash, and issued the Company 200,000 treasury shares valued at $85,000. Pantera is required to make option payments of $300,000 in cash, issue the Company 3.5 million in shares and complete a minimum of $1.4 million in work on the project over the next three years, to acquire 100% of the project. This agreement is subject to a 1% net smelter return in favour of IMPACT.
Overall
With increased trading on the various exchanges IMPACT is becoming recognized as a medium cost producer, highly leveraged to the price of silver. To date the Company believes the market has not attributed a significant value to its extensive land position and its exploration potential. Starting in 2021, the Company is committed to a significant exploration program including a considerable drill program focused on the greenfields potential of its large land package. In areas where it will not be able to focus over the next two years, the Company will look to potential partnerships to accelerate discovery.
During 2020, the global impact of the COVID-19 virus, as well as volatility in spot prices for certain commodities and oil and gas, resulted in significant movement in global stock markets and fostered a great deal of uncertainty as to the health of the global economy over the next 12 to 18 months. In April 2020, the Mexican government declared a national health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous health precautions were decreed, including the suspension of non-essential businesses, with only essential services to remain open. Mining did not initially qualify as an essential service, so for the protection of the staff, employees, contractors and communities, the Company commenced the process of suspending its mining operations in April as mandated by the government. The government extended this suspension until June, at which time the Company resumed operations. Since that date, the Company has not experienced any significant disruption to its operations or to shipments of concentrates.
The pandemic has had a worldwide impact on the global economies, including both foreign exchange and commodity prices, with the ultimate effect on the Company’s cash flows and operations difficult to predict.
IMPACT’s key objectives for development of the Company are as follows:
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Continue extensive development of the Guadalupe mine, including the newly developed Pachuqueno extension while optimizing production with a focus on maximizing cash flows from its other mining operations.
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Conduct an aggressive exploration program, including a diamond drill program in excess of 10,000 metres across the Company’s extensive land package, focusing on discovery and definition of additional high-grade silver and gold zones for near and longer-term mining.
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Completion of a modern interpretation of geophysical data collected by predecessors for the southern portion of the property.
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Subject to market conditions and current technical studies, look to restart production at the Capire open pit mine on a commercial scale.
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Accelerate exploration by also looking to possible joint ventures and option agreements with third parties on more remote tracts similar to the Pantera agreement.
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Continue a staged review of other opportunities for precious metals.
IMPACT is a reporting issuer in British Columbia and Alberta. The Company’s shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 1 Issuer under the symbol IPT and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol IKL.
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Financial Overview
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Revenue for Q1 2021 was $5.4 million up from $3.4 million in 2020.
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Mine operating earnings before amortization and depletion for Q1 2021 were $1.9 million, an improvement from $0.3 million in Q1 2020.
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Cash generated from operations for the quarter was $1.3 million compared to $0.7 million in 2020.
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Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based payments “Adjusted EBITDA”[2] was $1.6 million for the quarter compared to $0.5 million in 2020.
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At March 31, 2021, the cash position was $21.7 million and working capital was $21.9 million, compared to cash of $3.9 million and working capital of $3.4 million at March 31 2020.
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Net loss for the quarter was $0.3 million compared to a loss of $0.1 million in 2020, after a noncash $0.9 million provision for share-based payments.
Production and Sales Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31
The Company shifted its strategy in late 2018 from utilising capacity at its Guadalupe processing plant to focusing on lower cost, high-grade production. The decrease in production tonnes allowed the Company to focus on mining higher margin areas in lower cost situations.
The mining activity is becoming more focused on the Guadalupe mine and other areas accessed from that adit, with tonnage reaching 48% of the mill feed during the quarter. A substantial underground development program at Guadalupe has been initiated which includes a two-stage refurbishment of the mineshaft at the Guadalupe mine, and rebuilding and extending the extensive track system on the 195 level. This development will provide for considerably higher capacity with lower associated hauling costs.
The balance of the production at the Guadalupe mill during the first quarter of 2021 came the San Ramon Deeps Mine (18% of mill feed), the Cuchara Mine (23% of mill feed), and the Veta Negra Mine (11% of mill feed).
Revenue per tonne sold was $124.17 in Q1 2021, an increase of 46% from Q1 2020 at $84.92. This was the result of higher silver prices despite marginally lower grade.
Silver production was 156,889 ounces, 12% lower than in Q1 2020. Silver sales for Q1 2021 were 187,189 ounces compared to 184,572 ounces in 2020 due to a build up in inventory at the 2020 year-end, which was sold subsequent to year-end.
Direct costs per production tonne, net of concentrate inventories, were $75.45 in Q1 2021, compared to$75.16 in Q1 2020. These costs are anticipated to rise in Q2 2021 as the Company steps up exploration and development at the Guadalupe mine.
2 Adjusted EBITDA - Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based payments - is a non-IFRS measure which the Company believes provides meaningful information about the Company’s financial performance. See “Non-IFRS MEASURES”.
.
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PRODUCTION AND SALES: GUADALUPE MILL
| For the Three | Months Ended | March 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | |||
| 2021 | 2020 |
Change | |
| Total tonnes (t) milled | 36,413 | 39,537 |
-8% |
| Tonnes produced per day | 400 | 434 |
-8% |
| Silver production (oz) | 156,889 | 178,994 |
-12% |
| Lead production (t) | 66 | 66 |
0% |
| Gold production (oz) | 72 | 93 |
-23% |
| Silver sales (oz) | 187,189 | 184,572 |
+1% |
| Lead sales (t) | 64 | 70 |
-9% |
| Gold sales (oz) | 83 | 95 |
-13% |
| Average mill head grade –silver g/t | 162 | 170 |
-5% |
| Revenue per tonne sold3 | $124.17 | $84.92 |
+46% |
| Direct costs per production tonne3 | $75.45 | $75.16 |
0% |
MINE PRODUCTION
Royal Mines of Zacualpan District
At the Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver-Gold District several underground mines on epithermal silver (-zinclead) veins feed the central Guadalupe processing plant rated at 535 tonnes per day. Since acquiring the project, there has been extensive work done to upgrade operations and enhance production. Expanding the tailings capacity is an ongoing process. Work has been completed on a third tailings dam which is ready to receive tailings when needed.
Guadalupe Silver Mine
The Guadalupe Mine is located adjacent to the Guadalupe mill. This mine restarted commercial production in September 2018 after a hiatus of five years and is now the largest producing mine on the property. Very low hauling costs associated with mining here as well as positive drill results led to a decision to reopen this low cost mine. During the first quarter of 2021, the Guadalupe Mine provided 48% (Q1 2020 – 38%) of feed to the Guadalupe mill. Monthly average mining grades at Guadalupe during the quarter ranged from 160 to 166 g/t silver. Production during Q1 2021 was mainly from the Lipton, Liptonia and San Lorenzo veins on Levels 40, 60, 100, 125, 140. 150 and 160. With its lower cost structure, the Company has expanded production from Guadalupe, upgraded the shaft infrastructure, and is now upgrading other infrastructure in the mine to access additional veins for mining on the lower levels and expanding production to the northwest into the historic Pachuqueno mine area.
3 Revenue per tonne sold and direct costs per production tonne are non-IFRS measures which the Company believes provides useful information on revenue and direct costs. See “NON-IFRS MEASURES”.
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San Ramon Silver Mine
The San Ramon Mine is located 5 kilometres south of the Guadalupe mill. San Ramon has been a significant contributor to production since 2008. In 2014, the Company discovered new high-grade silver zones in the San Ramon Deeps area and mining of this area began in Q4 2014. During the first quarter of 2021, the San Ramon Deeps Mine provided 18% (Q1 2020 – 22%) of feed to the Guadalupe mill. Monthly average mining grades at San Ramon during the quarter ranged from 162 to 171 g/t silver.
To date this vein has been mined on Levels 12 through 29 over a length of up to 180 metres and widths of 2 to 17 metres. Production during Q1 2021 was from Levels 24, 27, 28 and 29. Size and grade of San Ramon Deeps are decreasing with depth but new drilling is planned to test potential extensions of the zone updip and to the south.
Veta Negra Silver Mine
The Veta Negra mine is a small open pit operation which commenced production in September 2019. It is located four kilometres northwest of the Guadalupe mill. The mine contributes a silver-rich feed to the Guadalupe mill from a near surface bulk tonnage zone. During the first quarter of 2021, the Veta Negra Mine provided 11% (Q1 2020 – 17%) of feed to the Guadalupe mill. Monthly average mining grades at Veta Negra during Q1 2021 ranged from 169 to 178 g/t silver. North-northwest trending parallel, near surface veins, stockworks and disseminations over a width averaging 14 metres justified open pit mining methods and drilling is continuing to determine the full potential of the zone. Work in progress has traced these veins on surface over a strike length of 650m.
Cuchara Silver Mine
The Cuchara mine is located 2.5 kilometres east of the Guadalupe mill and commenced production in the second quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of 2021, the Cuchara Mine provided 23% (Q1 2020 – 23%) of feed to the Guadalupe mill. The mine contributes a silver-lead-zinc feed to the Guadalupe mill from a corridor of veins. Current production is from the Marqueza and Milmaravillas veins. Monthly average mining grades at Cuchara during the quarter ranged from 151 to 160 g/t silver.
Capire Processing Plant and Mine
The Capire Production Centre is located 16 kilometres southwest of the Guadalupe Production Center. It is a volcanogenic (“VMS”) base and precious metal deposit. VMS mineralization in the Capire district is predominantly silver-rich with zinc and lead credits.
In Q2 2013, IMPACT announced the commissioning of the Capire open pit mine and completion of construction of the 200-tpd pilot plant. The purpose of the open pit silver test mining and processing operations at Capire was to determine production costs and optimize mining and processing methods in planning for a potentially larger operation in the future. The work performed increased the Company’s knowledge about the metallurgy of minerals in both districts and has helped define the operating costs at Capire. Most of this test work was completed; however, in light of lower silver prices, Mexican mining tax changes, hauling costs and low overall silver grade being mined at Capire, the Company recognized that the open pit test mining operation was not economical at that time. In February 2014, after processing approximately 33,000 tonnes of material, the open pit operations were suspended.
After the shutdown, the Capire plant was reconfigured as a bulk test processing facility for gold and copper mineralization from the Carlos Pacheco South Zone in the Noche Buena Mine. The results of this test work at Capire and later at the Guadalupe mill, demonstrated good gold recoveries from Carlos Pacheco South mineral when mixed with Zacualpan silver mineral.
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The Capire plant is currently on care and maintenance. Company engineers are reviewing Capire for potential restart of operations in light of current elevated silver prices. The Company is also testing the potential of an ore sorting system to upgrade the mineral feed at low cost to the Capire mill.
Capire Mineral Resource
On January 18, 2016, IMPACT announced NI43-101 compliant mineral resources for the Capire Zone as follows and then filed a supporting technical report on www.sedar.com on March 3, 2016.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Resource at US Dollar per Tonne Cutoffs- Inferred and Unoxidized | ||||||||
| Cutoff | Inferred Mineral Resources | |||||||
| **US$/t ** | Tonnes | **US$/t ** | gAg/t | %Zn | %Pb | Oz Ag | lbs Zn | lbs Pb |
| 10 | 4,465,000 | 36.20 | 44.21 | 0.72 | 0.31 | 6,346,000 | 71,183,000 | 30,212,000 |
| 15 | 3,450,000 | 43.24 | 53.03 | 0.85 | 0.37 | 5,881,000 | 64,914,000 | 28,072,000 |
| 20 | 2,707,000 | 50.37 | 62.22 | 0.98 | 0.43 | 5,414,000 | 58,444,000 | 25,755,000 |
| 25 | 2,177,000 | 57.19 | 71.06 | 1.10 | 0.49 | 4,974,000 | 52,766,000 | 23,522,000 |
| 30 | 1,786,000 | 63.74 | 79.49 | 1.22 | 0.54 | 4,563,000 | 47,975,000 | 21,423,000 |
| 35 | 1,490,000 | 69.96 | 87.65 | 1.33 | 0.59 | 4,199,000 | 43,692,000 | 19,504,000 |
| 40 | 1,242,000 | 76.47 | 96.20 | 1.45 | 0.65 | 3,842,000 | 39,596,000 | 17,666,000 |
| 45 | 1,035,000 | 83.30 | 105.37 | 1.56 | 0.70 | 3,507,000 | 35,693,000 | 15,905,000 |
| 50 | 859,000 | 90.69 | 115.49 | 1.69 | 0.75 | 3,189,000 | 31,983,000 | 14,203,000 |
| 60 | 636,000 | 103.31 | 133.60 | 1.88 | 0.84 | 2,732,000 | 26,339,000 | 11,793,000 |
| 70 | 489,000 | 114.89 | 150.72 | 2.04 | 0.92 | 2,370,000 | 22,034,000 | 9,909,000 |
| 80 | 381,000 | 126.33 | 167.97 | 2.20 | 0.99 | 2,057,000 | 18,455,000 | 8,338,000 |
| 90 | 294,000 | 138.53 | 187.15 | 2.34 | 1.07 | 1,772,000 | 15,194,000 | 6,966,000 |
The reported resource (“Base Case”) cutoff grade is US$30/tonne in the table. The mineral resources in this disclosure were estimated by Mine Development Associates (“MDA”) of Reno, Nevada. The resources were estimated using Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) standards, definitions and guidelines. The resources were estimated by inverse distance cubed (“ID[3] ”) and checked the estimate with inverse distance to the 4[th] power, kriging, and nearest neighbour.
The table presents the inferred diluted resources at Capire using total-metal (silver, zinc and lead) dollar-value cutoffs. The model block size is 3 metres by 3 metres by 3 metres. The diluted resources are displayed at multiple cutoffs, but the resource is reported at a cutoff of US$30/t lying within a pit optimized using $31/oz silver, $1.51/lb zinc, and $1.69/lb lead. MDA considered a US$30/t cutoff to be appropriate at the time for production using IMPACT’s 200 t/d mill and recoveries around 80%, 50%, and 65% for silver, zinc and lead, respectively. The resources were generated within an optimized pit shell on the Capire zone that best conveyed “reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction” at the time which is a requirement of the 2014 CIM Definition Standards, incorporated into Canadian National Instrument 43-101. There is additional mineralization too deep to fulfill the criteria of “reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction” within an open pit, but that may be available for potential underground development. For further details on the Capire mineral resource see IMPACT’s news release dated January 18, 2016.
EXPLORATION
Mines on epithermal veins that were drilled and built by the IMPACT team on the property include the Cuchara Silver Mine (currently in operation), San Ramon Deeps Silver Mine (currently in operation), the Veta Negra open pit mine (currently in operation), San Patricio (Chivo) Silver Mine (operated 2017-2018), Carlos Pacheco Gold-Copper Mine (on care and maintenance), Chivo Silver Mine (operated 2007-2012), the Noche Buena Silver Mine (operated 2010-2014) and the Mirasol Silver Mine (operated 2014-2017), as well as the
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Capire VMS open pit silver mine (being assessed for restart of operations). Exploration is continuing with the goal of finding and developing new mines for the Company. Recent exploration highlights were as follows:
Drilling
During the first quarter, IMPACT announced the purchase of a surface and an underground drill with plans to drill 10,000 metres on both near mine and other exploration targets (see IMPACT news release dated February 1, 2021 for details).
Exploration Field Work
IMPACT crews have been sampling some of the 5,000+ old mine workings and prospects in the districts as well as exploring new areas. Exploration targets are defined and prioritized using a very large computer database complied over many years from historical maps and other technical data on the project. During the quarter, fieldwork was highlighted by continued exploration on the north and south extensions of the Veta Negra Mine, trenching on the bulk tonnage gold target at Manto America in the central part of the district and exploration on the northwest (Pachuqueno) extensions of the Guadalupe Mine. The Company also commissioned Condor North Consulting to review and carry out a major modern interpretation of a large geophysical database collected in the 1990’s over the Mamatla-Capire Mine area to identify exploration targets.
FUTURE PLANS
Mining Plans
In the near term, the Company is optimizing production in light of the elevated silver prices and continues evaluation of the potential restart of the Capire open pit silver mine.
Exploration Plans
The Company is continuing exploration with the goal of putting some of the 5,000+ compiled old mine workings in the Zacualpan and Capire districts on a faster track to drilling and potential production, and building mineral inventories for mining. The Company is continuing surface and underground drilling programs to build tonnes for mining. Currently, exploration work is focused on the north and south extensions of the Veta Negra Mine, the Manto America bulk tonnage gold target, and several silver vein targets on the northwest extension of the Guadalupe Mine.
IMPACT has a track record of successful exploration and rapid mine development. The Company’s long-term vision sees potential for establishing multiple mills throughout the two districts, each fed by multiple mines producing silver-lead-zinc as well as gold.
George Gorzynski, P. Eng., Vice President and Director of IMPACT Silver Corp., and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, approved the technical information in this MD&A for the Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver Project and the Capire Mineral District (except information related to the Capire mineral resources). Steven Ristorcelli, C.P.G. (U.S.A.), Principal Geologist for Mine Development Associates and a Qualified Person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101, approved the Capire mineral resource estimate and directly related information in this MD&A. Details of the technical information in this MD&A are available in Company news releases posted on the Company website at www.IMPACTSilver.com and on www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement: The Company’s decision to place a mine into production, expand a mine, make other production related decisions or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations, is largely based on internal non-public Company data and reports based on exploration, development and mining work by the Company’s geologists and engineers. The results of this work are evident in the discovery and building of multiple mines for the Company, and in the track record of mineral production and financial returns of the Company since 2006. Under NI43-101 the Company is required to disclose that it has not based its production decisions on NI43-101-compliant mineral resource or reserve estimates, preliminary economic
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assessments or feasibility studies, and historically such projects have increased uncertainty and risk of failure.
SAFETY, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Environment:
IMPACT Silver Corp. recognizes that exploration and mining create a physical change within the area of work. The Company believes in its responsibility to ensure that it minimizes the environmental impact of its efforts and carries out reclamation on sites disturbed by its activities. As primarily an underground mining situation, surface disturbance has been minimal in the past. Tailings dams are engineered to stringent standards, the tailing themselves are benign and mine water is recycled.
COVID-19
Like much of Mexico, the local communities in the district have experienced COVID -19. Early last year the mine established strict protocols with regards to its employees, and provided valuable information to them and their families. All employees are monitored when they come to the plant site and mine sites, where practical safe distances and masks are required, and those suspected of having been exposed to a COVID-19 related event are sent to the local hospital for testing and required to isolate at home. To date this has kept the impact of COVID-19 upon its staff and operations to a minimum.
The Company has educated its employees and contract personnel to maintain high standards related to environmental and safety issues and they are continually reminded to uphold this standard. In 2019*, IMPACT received recognition for its compliance to health and safety standards by the Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare in Mexico. This recognition acknowledges that the Company:
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Ensured a working environment that allows effectiveness and competence.
-
Emphasized a strong relationship between employees and employer.
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Reduced workplace accidents and illnesses.
-
Reduced absenteeism.
-
Had no fines or work stoppages.
*A similar external audit in 2020 was deferred due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Company keeps community members informed of its activities and works with the community to address local concerns. The employment of most workers from the local communities’ fosters understanding, direct involvement in the Company’s operations, and financial and recreational benefits to the local communities.
The Company has social, environmental and other policies related to its operations and promotes a culture for working safely. Work conducted by or on behalf of the Company is planned with a focus on safety and concern for the environment and communities. The Company has a mine safety committee, and employs a safety officer to implement and supervise the safety program. In the event of an emergency, the Company maintains a trained mine rescue team, and keeps a paramedic and onsite ambulance on standby.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
The Company builds investor awareness and shareholder value by conducting institutional presentations and attends investment and mining related conferences that have been online during the pandemic. To ensure full disclosure, prior to COVID-19 closures, the Company regularly brought investment advisers and sophisticated investors to the project to its mine site for industrial tours.
With the changes occurring in the market place and the economy, the Company continues to strengthen its presence via social media and other online marketing.
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FINANCIAL DISCUSSION
Summary of Quarterly Results
| In thousands except for earnings per share | Three | months 2021 |
ended | March 31 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $ | 5,376 | $ | 3,414 |
| Net loss | $ | (257) | $ | (90) |
| Loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 |
Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was impacted by the following factors:
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Revenue for Q1 2021 was $5.4 million, a 57% increase from $3.4 million in Q1 2020. Although silver grades were lower in at 162 g/t compared to 170 g/t in 2020, silver sales increased to 187,189 ounces compare to 184,772 ounces in 2021 due to a build up in inventory at the 2020 year-end, which was sold in Q1 2021. Revenue per tonne sold was $124.17 in Q1 2021 compared to $84.92 in Q1 2020 due to higher silver prices.
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Mine operating earnings were $1.7 million in Q1 2021 compared to a loss of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2020. This was due primarily to increased revenue resulting from higher silver prices. Direct operating costs were $3.4 million in 2021 compared to $3.1 million in 2020 with 36,413 tonnes milled in Q1 2021 down from 39,537 in the comparative period in 2020. Direct operating costs per tonne were comparable at $75.45 compared to $75.16 in Q1 2020 after adjusting for inventories. Amortization and depletion expenses were marginally lower at $0.3 million compared $0.4 million in the prior year.
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Q1 2021 general and administrative costs were $1.4 million compared to $0.4 million in 2020. This increase was due primarily to share-based payments of $0.9 million with no comparable expense in 2020.
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The Company had current and deferred income taxes of $0.6 million compared to $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2020 due to the increased profitability of operations in Mexico.
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In Q1 2021, there was a foreign exchange gain of $0.1 million (2020 - $0.6 million) due to fluctuations in the US dollar affecting cash and accounts receivable denominated in that currency.
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OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Summary of Quarterly Results
The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations for each of the last eight quarters.
| For the Three Months Ended ($in thousands except for earningsper share) |
|
|---|---|
| Mar 31 2021 Dec 31 2020 Sept 30 2020 June 30 2020 Mar 31 2020 Dec 31 2019 Sept 30 2019 June 30 2019 |
|
| Revenue Net (loss) income |
5,376 4,548 4,774 2,842 3,413 4,026 3,537 2,767 (257) 1,658 928 (195) (90) (1,005) (203) (2,826) |
| Earnings (loss) per share – Basic and Diluted* |
(0.00) 0.01 0.01 (0.00) (0.00) (0.01) (0.00) (0.03) |
| Total assets Total liabilities |
65,070 64,832 58,592 46,319 44,715 49,955 50,255 49,969 6,219 6,143 6,905 6,306 6,528 7,476 7,976 8,296 |
* Income (loss) per share numbers have been rounded to two decimal places
Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources
Working Capital and Cash Flow
At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $21.7 million and working capital of $21.9 million, compared to cash of $20.4 million and working capital of $20.3 million at December 31, 2020.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2021:
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The Company generated cash flows from operating activities of $1.3 million compared to $0.7 million in 2020, due to improved financial performance.
-
In Q1 2021, the Company invested $0.8 million (2020 - $0.5 million) in long-lived assets, the majority of which were exploration expenditures.
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In Q1 2021, the Company received proceeds of $0.8 million from the exercise of warrants, $0.1 million from the exercise of stock options. In the comparative period 2020, the Company received net proceeds of $0.02 million on the exercise of stock options.
-
In Q1 2021, the Company received a cash payment $50,000 and 200,000 treasury shares valued at $85,000 pursuant to the option agreement on its Zacualpan SE concession signed in Q4 2020.
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Outstanding Share Data
The following common shares and convertible securities were outstanding at May 21, 2021:
| # of Shares Exercise Price Expiry Date |
|
|---|---|
| Issued and outstanding common shares Stock options Stock options Stock options Stock options Warrants Warrants Warrants Warrants Warrants Brokers warrants Warrants Fully diluted |
144,477,519 1,470,000 $0.98 July 27, 2021 1,160,000 $0.35 September 20, 2022 1,750,000 $0.36 October 24, 2024 2,110,000 $0.90 January 18, 2026 3,088,154 $0.30 July 5, 2022 1,747,230 $0.30 July 24, 2022 2,489,173 $0.385 August 2, 2022 1,039,954 $0.385 August 12, 2022 5,478,334 $0.385 April 16, 2023 598,089 $0.95 August 20, 2022 5,024,545 $1.30 August 20, 2022 170,432,998 |
All of the 6,490,000 stock options outstanding have vested.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RISK
Financial assets and liabilities
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, concentrate trade receivables, other receivables, investments, trade payables and lease obligations. Cash and other receivables are measured at amortized cost. Concentrate trade receivables are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Investments are designated as fair value though other comprehensive income and measured at fair value as determined by reference to quoted market prices. Trade payables and lease obligations are measured at amortized cost.
Financial instrument risk exposure
The Company’s financial instruments are exposed to a number of financial and market risks including credit, liquidity, currency, interest rate and price risks. The Company may, or may not, establish from time to time active policies to manage these risks. The Company does not currently have in place any active hedging or derivative trading policies to manage these risks, since the Company’s management does not believe that the current size, scale and pattern of cash flow of its operations would warrant such hedging activities.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk include cash, trade and other receivables and investments. The Company deposits its cash with high credit quality financial institutions as determined by ratings agencies, with the majority deposited with a Canadian Tier 1 bank. As is customary in the mining industry, the Company has entered into contracts with refining and smelting companies for the refining and sale of its silver, lead, zinc and gold contained in its lead and zinc concentrates. All contracts are with currently with Trafigura Mexico S.A de C.V. and previously with Samsung C&T Corp. As a result, the Company has a significant concentration of credit risk exposure to these companies at any one time but is satisfied that these companies have adequate credit ratings as determined by Standard
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and Poor’s. The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of its cash ($21.7 million) and trade and other receivables ($1.7 million).
Interest rate risk
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its cash. Generally, the Company’s interest income will be reduced during sustained periods of lower interest rates as higher yielding cash equivalents and any shortterm investments mature and the proceeds are invested at lower interest rates.
Currency risk
Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may affect the costs that the Company incurs in its operations. Silver, lead, zinc and gold are sold in US dollars and the Company’s costs are principally in Mexican pesos and Canadian dollars. At March 31, 2021, the Company is exposed to currency risk through the cash, trade and other receivables, and trade payables held in US dollars and Mexican pesos. Based on these foreign currency exposures at March 31, 2021, a 10% depreciation or appreciation of all the above currencies against the Canadian dollar would result in an approximate $0.3 million decrease or increase in the Company’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Commodity price risk
Due to the recent volatility in silver prices, the Company is assessing the impact and direction in silver prices over the short and long term. Should the prices decline, the Company’s operating results could be adversely impacted, and potentially the Company may have to recognize an impairment on the carrying value of its nonfinancial assets. The Company is addressing these issues with the objective of lowering production costs and mining higher-grade mineralization.
The only financial instrument affected by commodity price risk for the Company is trade accounts receivable. Assuming the same rate of production, a 10% change in commodity prices from actual realized prices would have increased or decreased the Company’s trade accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2021 by $0.3 million (2020 - $0.2 million).
OPERATIONAL RISK
The profitability and operating cash flow of the Company are affected by numerous factors, including but not limited to, the tonnes and grade of material mined and milled, the amount of metal concentrates produced, the level of operating costs, and general and administrative charges. Operating results are also influenced by factors over which the Company has less direct control, such as refining and smelting charges and other factors such as commodity prices and foreign exchange rates, which are largely outside the Company’s control. The nature of the Company’s business is demanding of capital for property acquisition costs, exploration commitments and holding costs. The Company’s liquidity is affected by the results of its own acquisition, exploration and development activities. The acquisition or discovery of an economic mineral deposit on one of its mineral properties may have a favourable effect on the Company’s liquidity. Conversely, the failure to acquire or find one may have a negative effect. Historically, the major sources of liquidity have been mine revenues, the capital markets and project financing. The Company has been and will continue to be dependent upon adequate financing and investor support to meet its long-term growth objectives.
POLITICAL, REGULATORY AND SECURITY ISSUES
The Company’s operations are subject to control and scrutiny by several levels of government, various departments within each level, and corporate, environmental and mining regulations. Permission must also be secured from local peoples for exploration and drilling permits, water and land surface use rights. Consequently, in carrying out its mining and exploration activities, the Company may be exposed to a large array of conditions to satisfy on a daily basis in its activities. Risk exists that the Company might fail to be fully compliant in all respects in this political and regulatory environment, or that permits might not be issued on a timely basis to facilitate the Company’s planned development activities. Furthermore, social, criminal,
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and political unrest may exist within a region covered by the Company’s operations and such events may affect the feeling of safety and security of the local peoples and may affect the operating activities of the Company. From time-to-time, government regulatory agencies may review the books and records of the Company, which may result in changes in the Company’s operating results.
COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. In response to the pandemic, the Government of Mexico implemented measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 which included the suspension of all non-essential businesses, including mining. To comply with these measures, and for the protections of the staff, employees, contractors and communities, the Company temporarily suspended mining operations in April 2020. The Company implemented plans to minimize the risks of the COVID-19 virus, both to employees and to the business. At its site, the Company is following government health protocols and is closely monitoring the pandemic with local health authorities. Since resumption of activities in June 2020, the Company has not experienced any significant disruption to operations or to shipments of concentrates.
Notwithstanding the proactive and considered actions taken to maintain a safe workplace, it is possible that in the future there may be negative impacts on operations or supply chain, and the pandemic may trigger actions such as reduced production and mining activities. The ongoing pandemic continues to have a worldwide impact on the global economies, including both foreign exchange and commodity prices. The ultimate effect on the Company’s cash flows and operations is uncertain and difficult to predict at this time.
APPROVAL
The Board of Directors oversees management’s responsibility for financial reporting and internal control systems through an Audit Committee. This Committee meets periodically with management and annually with the independent auditors to review the scope and results of the annual audit and to review the financial statements before the financial statements are approved by the Board of Directors and submitted to the shareholders of the Company. The Board of Directors of IMPACT have approved the financial statements and the disclosure contained in this MD&A. A copy of this MD&A will be provided to anyone who requests it.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
NON-IFRS MEASURES
Revenue per tonne sold and direct costs per tonne produced are measures that the Company believes are key indicators of performance and allow for more direct comparison of revenues and costs than comparing gross amounts. These measures are calculated as follows:
amounts. These measures are calculated as follows: |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the Three | Months | Ended | ||
| March 31 | ||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Operating expenses | $ | 3,431,094 | $ |
3,115,147 |
| Deduct: operating expenses for Capire | (26,129) | (38,742) | ||
| Deduct: inventory | (657,662) | (104,685) | ||
| Direct costs | $ | 2,747,303 | $ |
2,971,720 |
| Tonnes milled | 36,413 | 39,537 | ||
| Direct costs per tonne | $ | 75.45 | $ |
75.16 |
| Revenue | $ | 5,375,860 | $ |
3,413,708 |
| Tonnes sold | 43,296 | 40,197 | ||
| Revenue per tonne sold | $ | 124.17 | $ |
84.92 |
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The non-IFRS measures presented do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be directly comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company uses both IFRS and non-IFRS measures to assess performance and believes the non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors to help in evaluating the Company’s performance. Following are the non-IFRS measures the Company uses in assessing performance:
Mine operating earnings before amortization and depletion is a measure that the Company believes provides additional information regarding how the Company’s operations are performing. This measure is calculated as revenues less operating expenses, excluding amortization and depletion.
| For | the Three Months Ended March 31 | the Three Months Ended March 31 | the Three Months Ended March 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Revenue | $ | 5,375,860 | $ | 3,413,708 |
| Operating expenses | 3,431,094 | 3,115,147 | ||
| Mine operating earnings before amortizationand depletion | $ | 1,944,766 | $ | 298,561 |
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and share-based payments. The Company considers this measure to be a meaningful supplement to net income (loss) as a performance measurement. The Measure is calculated as follows:
| For the Three | Months | Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | ||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Net loss | $ | (257,341) | $ | (90,174) |
| Add: | ||||
| Finance cost | 12,019 | 10,372 | ||
| Current income tax expense | 91,981 | 122,594 | ||
| Deferred income tax expense | 524,579 | 27,039 | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 288,951 | 419,162 | ||
| Share-based payments | 943,511 | - | ||
| Less: | ||||
| Finance income | (33,792) | (13,919) | ||
| Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation, | ||||
| amortization and share-based payments | $ | 1,569,908 | $ | 475,074 |
The Company’s method of calculating these non-IFRS measures may differ from other entities, and accordingly, may not be comparable to measures used by other entities. Investors are cautioned, however, that these measures should not be construed as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company’s performance.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD–LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information, this MD&A may contain forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
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The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions; changes in financial markets; the impact of exchange rates; political conditions and developments in countries in which the Company operates; changes in the supply, demand and pricing of the metal commodities which the Company mines or hopes to find and successfully mine; changes in regulatory requirements impacting the Company’s operations; pandemics; the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Company’s operations; the sufficiency of current working capital and the estimated cost and availability of funding for the continued exploration and development of the Company’s exploration properties. This list is not exhaustive and these and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to any such future results, levels of activity or achievements and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements.
Additional information relating to IMPACT is on the Company website at www.IMPACTSilver.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
“Frederick W. Davidson”
President and Chief Executive Officer
May 21, 2021
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