MI
McEwen Inc. (MUX)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 was operationally mixed: consolidated revenue fell 3% to $50.5M as GEOs sold declined 33%, but higher realized gold prices (+39% YoY) partly offset volumes; net loss narrowed to $0.5M ($0.01/share), and Adjusted EBITDA rose 12% to $11.8M .
- Company lowered 2025 production guidance to 112–123k GEOs (from 120–140k) and raised unit cost guidance ranges given Gold Bar model updates and elevated Fox costs; Gold Bar production cut to 32–35k GEOs (from 40–45k) and Fox to 25–28k (from 30–35k) .
- Strategic progress at Los Azules was significant: RIGI approval (30-year fiscal/regulatory stability) and Feasibility Study with $2.9B NPV(8%), 19.8% IRR, $3.2B capex, C1 $1.71/lb, AISC $2.11/lb (at $4.35/lb Cu) – detailed engineering set to begin; construction targeted for early 2027 subject to financing .
- The quarter missed S&P Global consensus: revenue $50.5M vs $64.5M estimate*, EPS $0.01 vs $0.28 estimate*; management cited shortfalls at Gold Bar and elevated costs at Fox as drivers, with corrective actions underway and Q4 expected to improve .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
- What Went Well
- Los Azules de-risking: RIGI approval (reduced corporate rate to 25%, dividend withholding cut 50%, accelerated VAT recovery, export duty relief) and robust FS metrics; IFC collaboration for potential future debt/equity financing .
- Liquidity strengthened: cash $51.2M, marketable securities $24.2M, working capital $62.6M; Adjusted EBITDA up 12% YoY to $11.8M .
- Exploration/progress: Froome West development enabled initial production; Grey Fox drilling (20.6km in Q3) with high-grade intercepts; Stock ramp on schedule and on budget with $5.7M invested in Q3 .
- Quote: “We achieved significant strategic progress…published the Feasibility Study for Los Azules, and secured approval for RIGI benefits—providing 30 years of tax and foreign exchange stability…” — Rob McEwen .
- What Went Wrong
- Gold Bar underperformance: 8,191 GEOs vs expectation; updated model after reinterpretation of historic drilling drove lower Q3 ore tonnes and higher waste, pushing cash costs/AISC to $2,540/$2,852 per GEO; annual production and unit cost guidance raised/lowered accordingly .
- Fox cost inflation: cash costs/AISC of $2,132/$2,352 per GEO; elevated contractor and development costs; production guidance lowered to 25–28k GEOs .
- Consolidated guidance cut: 2025 GEOs guidance to 112–123k and unit cash/AISC ranges increased to $2,028–$2,128 / $2,356–$2,456 per ounce (from $1,543–$1,743 / $1,700–$1,900) .
Financial Results
Summary vs Prior Periods
Notes: Adjusted EBITDA as defined by MUX; Q1 revenue/avg price not disclosed in 8-K.
Segment Production & Unit Costs
Balance Sheet & Liquidity KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We encountered operational challenges that led to production below guidance and higher-than-expected costs…We expect these actions to begin delivering positive results in the fourth quarter.” — Rob McEwen, CEO and Chief Owner .
- “Net loss of $0.5M ($0.01/share)…Adjusted EBITDA $11.8M ($0.22/share)…Cash $51M; $24M marketable securities.” — Perry Ing, CFO (highlights) .
- “Froome West deposit has kicked in nicely…we see it producing through Q4 and well into 2026; Stock deposit should be coming into production in the first half of next year.” — Bill Shaver, COO .
- “RIGI…is a fundamental game changer…30 years of legal, fiscal, and customs stability…FS confirms robust economics: $2.9B NPV(8%), 19.8% IRR, $3.2B capex.” — Michael Meding, VP & GM McEwen Copper .
Q&A Highlights
- Gold Bar geology/mine plan: Management characterized the Q3 shortfall as a sequencing/model issue that has been addressed; normal ore now reconciles to the block model; 2026 plan seen consistent; 2025 guidance updated accordingly .
- El Gallo (Fenix) timing: Permitting amendments still required; optimistic permits will align to start plant construction in Q1 and proceed to mid-2026/2027 milestones; expect updated financial study after permits .
- Canadian Gold Corp acquisition: Shareholder vote in December; court ratification targeted early January; PEA targeted Q4 2026 post-close; management asserted fairness and no information asymmetry .
- Los Azules IPO: Postponed beyond Q4 2025 due to timing; targeting sometime next year; expectation for pricing above last private round ($30/share) upon listing, subject to market .
- Vertical integration (Paragon): PhotonAssay seen as disruptive for assay turnaround and data quality; management open to further moves that compress time and de-bottleneck supply in mining value chain .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 vs S&P Global consensus: Revenue $50.5M vs $64.5M estimate*, Primary EPS $0.01 vs $0.28 estimate*. Q4 2025 forward: Revenue $69.3M estimate*, EPS $0.20 estimate*. Values retrieved from S&P Global.
- Consensus EBITDA context: Q3 “EBITDA” estimate* $28.5M vs actual $2.33M*; company-reported Adjusted EBITDA was $11.8M (definitions differ). Values retrieved from S&P Global.
- Target price consensus: ~$23.2*, 5 estimates*. Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near-term reset, medium-term build: 2025 production/cost guidance cut/raised on Gold Bar/Fox execution, but Froome West + Stock ramp underpin 2026 production normalization and margin potential .
- Los Azules materially advanced toward financeable status (RIGI + FS), with detailed engineering next and construction targeted for early 2027, positioning MUX for multi-commodity optionality and potential value crystallization (IPO) in 2026+ .
- Q3 miss vs consensus creates estimate risk: Street likely to reduce near-term revenue/EPS forecasts and raise cost assumptions until Q4 evidence of improved mine compliance and unit costs emerges; watch Q4 cost/ton and ore reconciliation commentary .
- Cash/liquidity sufficient to execute 2026 milestones (Stock ramp, Gold Bar heap-leach expansion, El Gallo Phase 1), with El Gallo partly funded via gold prepay and remaining capex ~$25M .
- Catalysts: Q4 operating traction at Gold Bar/Fox; Grey Fox updated resource (Q4 2025) and PFS (H1 2026); Windfall/Lookout Mountain resource update (H1 2026); Los Azules detailed engineering updates/financing progress; Canadian Gold Corp close (Jan 2026) .
- Strategic tech investment (Paragon PhotonAssay) aims to compress exploration and development timelines—monitor assay turnaround impact on drilling programs and resource updates .
- Trading setup: sentiment hinges on execution proof in Q4 and clarity on 2026 ramp; Los Azules de-risking provides a supportive longer-term narrative even as precious metal ops drive near-term P&L .
Appendix: Additional Detail
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (Company-reported)
Citations:
- Q3 2025 8-K and Exhibit 99.1:
- Q3 2025 press release:
- Q3 2025 earnings call transcript:
- Q2 2025 8-K and press release:
- Q1 2025 8-K and press release:
S&P Global disclaimer: Asterisked estimate values in “Estimates Context” were retrieved from S&P Global.