MAG Silver - Earnings Call - Q1 2025

Transcript

George Paspalas (President and CEO)

Hello everyone, and welcome to MAG Silver's Q1 2025 results videocast. I'm George Paspalas, President and CEO, and I'm pleased to walk you through a quarter of record-breaking results, meaningful shareholder returns, and continued progress across our entire portfolio. All numbers are on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. Let's dive into the highlights, starting with one recipient where MAG holds a 44% interest alongside our partner and the operator Fresnillo. We saw robust production, record margins, and standout cost performance. In Q1, we processed 337,000 tonnes of ore, grading 430 g per tonne silver or 660 grams per tonne silver equivalent. That delivered 4.5 million ounces of silver and 6.5 million ounces silver equivalent. Recovery also hit a new high, 96% silver recovery, thanks to the continued plant optimization and ongoing commercial pyrite and gravimetric concentrate production.

Q1 sales totalled $175 million, up 42% from Q1 2024, driven by higher volumes and stronger realised prices. Silver averaged $33.60 per ounce, and gold averaged over $3,031 per ounce. Zinc and lead also contributed positively. Treatment and refining charges were $8.7 million, down more than $1.1 million from Q1 2024, reflecting more favourable commercial terms negotiated last year. Production costs decreased by $3.1 million, mainly as a result of more efficient mining operations. These contributed to a higher cash operating margin of 81%, up from 70% last year. Gross profit for the quarter came in at $121 million versus $65 million a year ago. That's a near doubling. One recipient continues to deliver industry-leading costs. Our cash costs were negative, $0.91 per ounce silver sold and $8.50 per silver equivalent ounce sold, driven by strong byproduct credits and disciplined site-level performance.

All-in sustaining costs were $2.04 per silver ounce sold and $10.64 per equivalent ounce, down significantly from the prior year. All-in sustaining margins remained solid, like really solid. Q1 delivered an all-in sustaining margin of $126 million. Free cash flow was equally strong in Q1, delivering $77 million, and that was after paying $57 million in taxes during the quarter. At the corporate level, MAG recorded net income of $28.7 million or $0.28 per share and adjusted EBITDA of $55.8 million, driven by a 44% of one recipient. We received $61.5 million in cash from one recipient in April. One recipient has now retired all intercompany debt. Building on our inaugural dividend in April, MAG declared its second quarterly dividend, $0.02 per share fixed component and $0.18 per share cash flow linked component tied to our targeted 30% of cash received from one recipient.

That's a total dividend of $0.20 per share payable May 28th to shareholders of record as of May 19th. We believe this dual component approach to the dividend aligns shareholders' returns directly with underlying performance and reinforces our commitment to disciplined capital returns. Let's turn to exploration, where progress continues across all three of our key projects. At Juanicipio, we completed 6,992 m of underground infill drilling in Q1, focused on the Valdecañas, Anticipada, and Ramal veins. Surface drilling will begin in Q2, targeting skarn potential and targeting new vein systems like Magdalena. At Deer Trail, we drilled six reverse circulation pre-collar holes, totalling 1,783 m, testing cost-effective and time-saving ways to progress our targets through the tough initial 300-400 metres of drilling.

Results are pending, and geophysical surveys are underway to refine our drill targeting while we continue to review alternatives to reduce drill costs and discovery risk. At Larder, we finalized target selection and logistics for a 25,000 m drill program at the East Pond zone, where historical drilling and recent sampling delivered stunning gold grades. Looking ahead, Juanicipio remains on track to meet 2025 production guidance of 14.7-16.7 million silver ounces and all-in sustaining costs of $6-$8 per ounce. Sustaining capital of $70-$80 million is budgeted for tailings expansion, ventilation systems, and electrical infrastructure. An additional $22-$28 million is allocated to installing the underground conveyor, expected to come online in late 2026, and delivering enhanced efficiencies, costs, and production potential.

We'll also drill 50,500 m this year across all underground and surface programs to continue expanding the resource base of Juanicipio. Q1 marked another strong quarter for MAG, with record production, improved margins, and robust dividends. We're well positioned to build on this momentum through 2025. Thank you for your support. We'll see you next quarter, and until then, please take care.