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HECLA MINING CODE

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 9, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 9, 2024

HL$14.29-7.3%Stored close · as of Nov 10, 2026

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Consolidated Results of Operations

Total sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

Three Months EndedMarch 31,
(in thousands)20242023
Silver$86,233$81,532
Gold67,41575,087
Lead19,48325,402
Zinc24,96432,943
Less: Smelter and refining charges(13,014)(15,973)
Total metal sales185,081198,991
Environmental remediation services4,447509
Total sales$189,528$199,500

Environmental remediation services revenue is generated by performing remediation work in the historical Yukon Territory mining district on behalf of the Canadian government. The scope of all work is agreed to in advance by the Canadian government, and it is essentially pass through in nature with minimal margin generated by the Company in performing this work.

Total metal sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the approximate variances attributed to differences in metals prices, sales volumes and smelter terms, were as follows:

(in thousands)SilverGoldBase metalsLess: smelter and refining chargesTotal sales of products
Three months ended March 31, 2023$81,532$75,087$58,345$(15,973)$198,991
Variances - 2024 versus 2023:
Price7,4746,408(7,345)—6,537
Volume(2,773)(14,080)(6,553)876(22,530)
Smelter terms———2,0832,083
Three months ended March 31, 2024$86,233$67,415$44,447$(13,014)$185,081

The fluctuations in sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 were primarily due to the following two reasons:

Higher average realized prices for silver and gold partially offset by lower average realized prices for lead and zinc during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023. The table below summarizes spot prices and our realized prices for the commodities we sell:

Three Months EndedMarch 31,
2024 · 2023
Silver –London PM Fix ($/ounce)$23.36$22.56
Realized price per ounce$24.77$22.62
Gold –London PM Fix ($/ounce)$2,072$1,889
Realized price per ounce$2,094$1,902
Lead –LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)$0.94$0.97
Realized price per pound$0.97$1.02
Zinc –LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)$1.11$1.42
Realized price per pound$1.10$1.39

Average realized prices typically differ from average market prices primarily because concentrate sales are generally recorded as revenues at the time of shipment at forward prices for the estimated month of settlement, which differ from average market prices. Due to the time elapsed between shipment of concentrates and final settlement with the customers, we must estimate the prices at which sales of our metals will be settled. Previously recorded sales are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices each period through final settlement. We recorded net positive price adjustments to provisional settlements of $3.5 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The price adjustments related to silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments were partially offset by gains and losses on forward contracts for those metals. See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)for more information. The gains and losses on these contracts are included in revenues and impact the realized prices for silver, gold, lead and zinc. Realized prices are calculated by dividing gross revenues for each metal (which include the price adjustments and gains and losses on the forward contracts discussed above) by the payable quantities of each metal included in concentrate, doré and carbon material shipped during the period.

Lower quantities of all metals sold during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023. This was primarily due to lower gold production and related sales at Casa Berardi, partially offset by sales from Keno Hill during the quarter following production commencing in the second quarter of 2023. See The Greens Creek Segment, The Lucky Friday Segment, The Keno Hill Segment, and Casa Berardi Segment sections below for more information on metal production and sales volumes at each of our operating segments. Total metals production and sales volumes for each period are shown in the following table:

Three Months EndedMarch 31,
2024 · 2023
Silver -Ounces produced4,192,0984,041,878
Payable ounces sold3,481,8843,604,494
Gold -Ounces produced36,59239,717
Payable ounces sold32,18939,473
Lead -Tons produced11,92213,236
Payable tons sold10,02012,513
Zinc -Tons produced16,38915,795
Payable tons sold11,32211,858

The difference between what we report as “ounces/tons produced” and “payable ounces/tons sold” is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for by our customers according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades which impact the amount of metals contained in concentrates produced and sold.

Sales, total cost of sales, gross profit (loss), Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce (“Cash Cost”) (non-GAAP) and AISC (non-GAAP) at our operating units for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands, except for Cash Cost and AISC):

Silver · Gold and Other
Greens CreekLucky FridayKeno HillTotal Silver (2)Casa BerardiOther (3)Total Gold and Other
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024:
Sales$97,310$35,340$10,847$143,497$41,584$4,447$46,031
Total cost of sales(69,857)(27,519)(10,847)(108,223)(58,260)$(3,885)(62,145)
Gross profit (loss)$27,453$7,821$—$35,274$(16,676)$562$(16,114)
Cash Cost (1)$3.45$8.85$—$4.78$1,669$—$1,669
AISC (1)$7.16$17.36$—$13.10$1,899$—$1,899
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023:
Sales$98,611$49,110$—$147,721$50,998$781$51,779
Total cost of sales(66,288)(34,534)—(100,822)(62,998)(732)(63,730)
Gross profit (loss)$32,323$14,576$—$46,899$(12,000)$49$(11,951)
Cash Cost (1)$1.16$4.30$—$2.14$1,775$—$1,775
AISC (1)$3.82$10.69$—$8.96$2,392$—$2,392

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

(2)

The calculation of AISC for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital.

(3)

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, Other includes $4.4 million of sales and $3.9 million, of total cost of sales, from our environmental remediation services in the Yukon compared to $0.5 million of sales and $0.4 million of total cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

While revenue from zinc, lead and gold by-products is significant, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product of Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill is appropriate because:

silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

we have historically presented the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units as primary silver producers, based on the original analysis that justified putting the project into production, and the same analysis applies to the Keno Hill unit. Further we believe that consistency in disclosure is important to our investors regardless of the relationships of metals prices and production from year to year;

metallurgical treatment maximizes silver recovery;

the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill deposits are massive sulfide deposits containing an unusually high proportion of silver; and

in most of their working areas, Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill utilize selective mining methods in which silver is the metal targeted for highest recovery.

Accordingly, we believe the identification of gold, lead and zinc as by-product credits at Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill is appropriate because of their lower economic value compared to silver and due to the fact that silver is the primary product we intend to produce at those locations. In addition, we have not consistently received sufficient revenue from any single by-product metal to warrant classification of such as a co-product.

We periodically review our revenues to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because for Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill we consider zinc, lead and gold to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs within our calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce.

We believe the identification of silver as a by-product credit is appropriate at Casa Berardi because of its lower economic value compared to gold and due to the fact that gold is the primary product we intend to produce there. In addition, we do not receive sufficient revenue from silver at the Casa Berardi to warrant classification of such as a co-product. Because we consider silver to be a by-product of our gold production at Casa Berardi, the value of silver offsets operating costs within our calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce.

We reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $3.3 million in the comparable period in 2023. The following were the significant drivers of changes in net loss applicable to common stockholders compared to 2023:

Consolidated gross profit decreased by $15.8 million. See The Greens Creek Segment, The Lucky Friday Segment, The Keno Hill Segment, and The Casa Berardi Segment sections below for a discussion on the key drivers by operating unit.

Ramp-up and suspension costs increased by $3.2 million primarily due to $2.2 million related to the suspension of operations at Lucky Friday prior to the restart of operations on January 9, 2024 due to the underground fire that occurred in the #2 shaft and $8.7 million of Keno Hill ramp-up activities following the Alexco acquisition, partially offset by a reduction of care and maintenance costs at our non-operating sites.

Other operating income (expense) increased by $16.9 million primarily due to the $17.4 million of insurance proceeds received during the quarter related to the Lucky Friday fire.

Fair value adjustments, net losses increased by $5.0 million primarily due to higher unrealized losses on undesignated derivative contracts of $2.9 million and higher unrealized losses on our marketable equity securities portfolio of $2.1 million than in the comparable period in 2023.

Net foreign exchange gain increased by $3.9 million to $4.0 million reflecting the continued strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar impact, and related impact on the revaluation of our Canadian monetary assets and liabilities.

Greens Creek

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)Three Months EndedMarch 31,
20242023
Sales$97,310$98,611
Cost of sales and other direct production costs(55,414)(51,824)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(14,443)(14,464)
Total cost of sales(69,857)(66,288)
Gross profit$27,453$32,323
Tons of ore milled232,188233,167
Production:
Silver (ounces)2,478,5942,772,860
Gold (ounces)14,58814,885
Lead (tons)4,8345,202
Zinc (tons)13,06212,482
Payable metal quantities sold:
Silver (ounces)2,090,4492,292,035
Gold (ounces)12,18612,646
Lead (tons)3,6704,156
Zinc (tons)9,5649,244
Ore grades:
Silver ounces per ton13.314.4
Gold ounces per ton0.090.08
Lead percent2.6%2.6%
Zinc percent6.3%6.0%
Total production cost per ton$212.92$198.60
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)$3.45$1.16
AISC, After By-Product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)$7.16$3.82
Capital additions$8,827$6,658

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

The $4.9 million decrease in gross profit for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily due to lower sales volumes for all metals produced except zinc and higher cost of sales and other direct production costs attributable to an increase in hourly labor rates during the quarter, higher contractor labor maintenance expense, partially offset by higher realized silver and gold prices and lower treatment and refining charges. Capital additions increased by $2.2 million in the same period primarily due to higher mobile equipment purchases and the mine infrastructure development.

The charts below illustrate the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$25.13$21.80
By-product credits(21.68)(20.64)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$3.45$1.16
Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$28.84$24.46
By-product credits(21.68)(20.64)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$7.16$3.82

The increase in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the quarter compared to the same quarter in 2023 was primarily due to higher production costs and higher sustaining capital, respectively.

Lucky Friday

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)Three Months EndedMarch 31,
20242023
Sales$35,340$49,110
Cost of sales and other direct production costs(19,608)(24,079)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(7,911)(10,455)
Total cost of sales(27,519)(34,534)
Gross profit$7,821$14,576
Tons of ore milled86,23495,303
Production:
Silver (ounces)1,061,0651,262,464
Lead (tons)6,6898,034
Zinc (tons)2,8513,313
Payable metal quantities sold:
Silver (ounces)953,8911,306,013
Lead (tons)5,9928,357
Zinc (tons)1,6412,614
Ore grades:
Silver ounces per ton12.913.8
Lead percent8.2%8.8%
Zinc percent3.9%4.1%
Total production cost per ton$233.10$210.72
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)$8.85$4.30
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)$17.36$10.69
Capital additions$14,988$14,707

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

During August 2023, mining was suspended while repairing an unused station in the #2 ventilation shaft, which is also the secondary egress. While under repair, a fire occurred causing damage to the station and shaft. The operation remained suspended due to a fire at the unused station. By early September, the fire had been extinguished, normal ventilation was reestablished and the workforce recalled. Following evaluation of alternatives, it was determined that in order to safely bring the mine back into production in the most rapid and cost-effective way, a new secondary egress needed to be developed to bypass the damaged portion of the #2 shaft. The new egress extends an existing ramp 1,600 feet, installed a 290-foot-long manway raise, and developed an 850-foot ventilation raise. This work resulted in operations being suspended for the remainder of 2023, with the mine restarting production on January 9th, and ramping up to full production during March. The Company has property and business interruption insurance coverage with an underground sub-limit of $50.0 million, and to date has received $17.4 million in property damage and business interruption insurance proceeds. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in receiving the full $50 million.

Gross profit decreased by $6.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting a combination of lower sales volumes for all metals produced as the mine ramped up to full production and higher maintenance, mining and milling costs, partially offset by higher realized silver prices.

During the first quarter of 2024, $2.2 million of site specific suspension costs were included within Ramp-up and suspension costs on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Capital additions increased by $0.3 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting the costs incurred to finalize the secondary egress partially offset by completion of the coarse ore bunker and silver hoist projects during 2023.

The charts below illustrate the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Silver Ounce:

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$24.41$21.03
By-product credits(15.56)(16.73)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$8.85$4.30
Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$32.92$27.42
By-product credits(15.56)(16.73)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce$17.36$10.69

The increase in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily due to a combination of lower production and lower by-product credits in 2024.

Keno Hill

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)Three Months Ended March 31,
Sales$10,847
Cost of sales and other direct production costs(7,245)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(3,602)
Total cost of sales(10,847)
Gross profit$—
Tons of ore milled25,165
Production:
Silver (ounces)646,312
Lead (tons)576
Zinc (tons)298
Payable metal quantities sold:
Silver (ounces)432,331
Lead (tons)359
Zinc (tons)116
Ore grades:
Silver ounces per ton26.3
Lead percent2.4%
Zinc percent1.3%
Capital additions$10,346

We acquired our Keno Hill operations as part of the Alexco acquisition on September 7, 2022, and have focused on development activities and began initial operation of the mill during the second quarter of 2023. The average throughput during the first quarter of 2024 was 277 tons per day, with silver grades milled of 26.3 ounces per ton.

During 2024, Keno Hill recorded both sales and total cost of sales of $10.8 million, related to the concentrate produced and sold. The first quarter 2024 had $8.7 million of site-specific ramp up costs included in Ramp-up and suspension costs, compared to $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. Keno Hill recorded capital additions of $10.3 million, related to various mine underground development projects, mobile equipment purchases and deposits on long lead items for the the cemented tails batch plant.

Casa Berardi

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)Three Months EndedMarch 31,
20242023
Sales$41,584$50,998
Cost of sales and other direct production costs(35,309)(48,962)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(22,951)(14,036)
Total cost of sales(58,260)(62,998)
Gross loss$(16,676)$(12,000)
Tons of ore milled381,626429,158
Production:
Gold (ounces)22,00424,686
Silver (ounces)6,1276,554
Payable metal quantities sold:
Gold (ounces)20,00326,826
Silver (ounces)5,2136,446
Ore grades:
Gold ounces per ton0.070.07
Silver ounces per ton0.020.02
Total production cost per ton$96.53$107.95
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce (1)$1,669$1,775
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce (1)$1,899$2,392
Capital additions$13,316$17,086

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

As part of the transition of the Casa Berardi mine from a combined underground and open pit operation to an open pit only operation, the lower margin east mine underground operations were closed in July 2023 and only the higher margin stopes of the west underground mine will be mined throughout mid-2024, at which time most underground activity, except for exploration will cease. This strategic change has resulted in production and sales decreasing significantly compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Following the halt to underground mining, Casa Berardi is expected to only produce gold from the 160 open pit, and at lower volumes than historic production levels with production expected to conclude no later than 2027. We forecast a gap in production from at least 2028 to at least 2030 when no ore will be mined and there will be no revenue. During this hiatus, our focus will be on investing in infrastructure and equipment, and on permitting and stripping two expected new open pits, Principal and West Mine Crown Pillar.. We expect to resume open pit mining at Casa Berardi no earlier than 2030, and anticipate that the mine will generate significant free cash flow at current gold prices.

Gross loss increased by $4.7 million to $16.7 million for the period ended March 31, 2024, compared to a gross loss of $12.0 million in the same period in 2023. The increase in gross loss includes $5.1 million in product inventory net realizable value write downs attributable to higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, reflecting the accelerated amortization of the west underground mine, the purchase of mobile equipment fleet in June and early July 2023 and the cessation of capitalization of any underground mine development costs effective July 2023. Processing of lower grade tonnage from both the underground and surface operations, higher costs related to mill maintenance and optimization activities, and higher fuel and other consumables costs, also contributed to the increased gross loss compared to the same period in 2023. Capital additions decreased by $3.8 million compared to the same period in 2023, primarily related to the cessation of capitalization of underground development.

The charts below illustrate the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Gold Ounce:

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce$1,675$1,780
By-product credits(6)(5)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce$1,669$1,775
Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce$1,905$2,397
By-product credits(6)(5)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce$1,899$2,392

The decrease in Cash Cost After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce, for the first quarter 2024 compared to the same period for 2023 was primarily due to lower production costs from the cessation of underground mining of the east mine during July 2023, partially offset by lower production. Decreased sustaining capital for the first quarter of 2024, reflecting no underground development positively impacted AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce.

Corporate Matters

Income Taxes

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, an income and mining tax provision of $1.8 million resulted in an effective tax rate of negative 46.1%. This compares to an income and mining tax provision of $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 4699.0%. The comparability of our income and mining tax provision and effective tax rate for the reported periods was impacted by multiple factors, primarily: (i) mining taxes; (ii) variations in our income before income taxes; (iii) geographic distribution of that income; (iv) foreign exchange rates including non-recognition of foreign exchange gains and losses; (v) percentage depletion; and (vi) the non-recognition of tax assets. The effective tax rate will fluctuate, sometimes significantly, period to period. The change in the effective tax rate during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the comparable periods in 2023 is primarily related to the reported consolidated loss as well as the losses incurred at the consolidated Alexco subsidiaries, and the Nevada subsidiaries, for which no tax benefit is recognized due to uncertainty surrounding our ability to utilize these future tax benefits.

Each reporting period we assess our deferred tax balances based on a review of long-range forecasts and quarterly activity. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not the related tax benefits will not be realized. We analyze our deferred tax assets and, if it is determined that we will not realize all or a portion of our deferred tax assets, we record or increase a valuation allowance. Conversely, if it is determined we will ultimately more likely than not be able to realize all or a portion of the related benefits for which a valuation allowance has been provided, all or a portion of the related valuation allowance will be reduced. There are a number of factors that impact our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances are provided on deferred tax assets in Nevada, Mexico, and certain Canadian jurisdictions. For additional information, please see risk factors Our accounting and other estimates may be imprecise and Our ability to recognize the benefits of deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards and other items is dependent on future cash flows and taxable incomein Item 1A - Risk Factors in our 2023 Form 10-K.

Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP)

The tables below present reconciliations between the most comparable GAAP measure of total cost of sales to the non-GAAP measures of (i) Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, (ii) Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, (iii) AISC, Before By-product Credits and (iv) AISC, After By-product Credits for our operations and for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce are measures developed by precious metals companies (including the Silver Institute and the World Gold Council) in an effort to provide a uniform standard for comparison purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that these non-GAAP measures as we report them are the same as those reported by other mining companies.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is an important operating statistic that we utilize to measure each mine's operating performance. We use AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce as a measure of our mines' net cash flow after costs for reclamation and sustaining capital. This is similar to the Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce non-GAAP measure we report, but also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce also allow us to benchmark the performance of each of our mines versus those of our competitors. As a silver and gold mining company, we also use these statistics on an aggregate basis - aggregating the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines to compare our performance with that of other silver mining companies. Similarly, these statistics are useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as they provide a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics.

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC, Before By-product Credits for each mine also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs. AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties also includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital costs. By-product credits include revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. As depicted in the tables below, by-product credits comprise an essential element of our silver unit cost structure, distinguishing our silver operations due to the polymetallic nature of their orebodies.

In addition to the uses described above, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce provide management and investors an indication of operating cash flow, after consideration of the average price received from production. We also use these measurements for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective.

Casa Berardi reports Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the production of gold, their primary product, and by-product revenues earned from silver, which is a by-product at Casa Berardi. Only costs and ounces produced relating to units with the same primary product are combined to represent Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce. Thus, the gold produced at Casa Berardi is not included as a by-product credit when calculating Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the total of Greens Creek and Lucky Friday, our combined silver properties. Similarly, the silver produced at our other two units is not included as a by-product credit when calculating the gold metrics for Casa Berardi.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Greens Creek · Lucky Friday · Keno Hill (6) · Corporate (2) · Total Silver
Total cost of sales$69,857$27,519$10,847$—$108,223
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(14,443)(7,911)(3,602)—(25,956)
Treatment costs9,7243,223——12,947
Change in product inventory(2,196)611——(1,585)
Reclamation and other costs(655)(102)——(757)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (3)—(3,634)——(3,634)
Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (4)——(7,245)—(7,245)
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)62,28719,706——81,993
Reclamation and other costs785222——1,007
Sustaining capital8,41612,051—6620,533
Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (3)—(5,396)——(5,396)
General and administrative———11,21611,216
AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)71,48826,583—11,282109,353
By-product credits:
Zinc(20,206)(4,785)——(24,991)
Gold(26,551)———(26,551)
Lead(6,980)(11,720)——(18,700)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (3)—3,943——3,943
Total By-product credits(53,737)(12,562)——(66,299)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits$8,550$7,144$—$—$15,694
AISC, After By-product Credits$17,751$14,021$—$11,282$43,054
Ounces produced2,4791,0613,540
Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (3)—(253)(253)
Divided by ounces produced2,4798083,287
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$25.13$24.41$24.95
By-product credits per ounce(21.68)(15.56)(20.17)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$3.45$8.85$4.78
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$28.84$32.92$33.27
By-product credits per ounce(21.68)(15.56)(20.17)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$7.16$17.36$13.10
In thousands (except per ounce amounts)Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Gold - Casa BerardiOther (4)Total Gold and Other
Total cost of sales$58,260$3,885$62,145
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(22,951)—(22,951)
Treatment costs24—24
Change in product inventory1,739—1,739
Reclamation and other costs(209)—(209)
Exclusion of Other costs—(3,885)(3,885)
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)36,863—36,863
Reclamation and other costs209—209
Sustaining capital4,861—4,861
AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)41,933—41,933
By-product credits:
Silver(143)—(143)
Total By-product credits(143)—(143)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits$36,720$—$36,720
AISC, After By-product Credits$41,790$—$41,790
Divided by ounces produced22—22
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$1,675$—$1,675
By-product credits per ounce(6)—(6)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$1,669$—$1,669
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$1,905$—$1,905
By-product credits per ounce(6)—(6)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$1,899$—$1,899
In thousands (except per ounce amounts)Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Total SilverTotal Gold and OtherTotal
Total cost of sales$108,223$62,145$170,368
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(25,956)(22,951)(48,907)
Treatment costs12,9472412,971
Change in product inventory(1,585)1,739154
Reclamation and other costs(757)(209)(966)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (3)(3,634)—(3,634)
Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)(7,245)—(7,245)
Exclusion of Other costs—(3,885)(3,885)
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)81,99336,863118,856
Reclamation and other costs1,0072091,216
Sustaining capital20,5334,86125,394
Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)(5,396)—(5,396)
General and administrative11,216—11,216
AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)109,35341,933151,286
By-product credits:
Zinc(24,991)—(24,991)
Gold(26,551)—(26,551)
Lead(18,700)—(18,700)
Silver—(143)(143)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (8)3,943—3,943
Total By-product credits(66,299)(143)(66,442)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits$15,694$36,720$52,414
AISC, After By-product Credits$43,054$41,790$84,844
Ounces produced3,54022
Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)(253)—
Divided by ounces produced3,28722
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$24.95$1,675
By-product credits per ounce(20.17)(6)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$4.78$1,669
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$33.27$1,905
By-product credits per ounce(20.17)(6)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$13.10$1,899
In thousands (except per ounce amounts)Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 (5)
Greens Creek · Lucky Friday · Corporate (2) · Total Silver
Total cost of sales$66,288$34,534$—$100,822
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(14,464)(10,455)—(24,919)
Treatment costs10,3685,277—15,645
Change in product inventory(1,615)(2,409)—(4,024)
Reclamation and other costs(129)(409)—(538)
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)60,44826,538—86,986
Reclamation and other costs722285—1,007
Sustaining capital6,6417,784—14,425
General and administrative——12,07012,070
AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)67,81134,60712,070114,488
By-product credits:
Zinc(24,005)(6,816)—(30,821)
Gold(25,286)——(25,286)
Lead(7,942)(14,299)—(22,241)
Total By-product credits(57,233)(21,115)—(78,348)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits$3,215$5,423$—$8,638
AISC, After By-product Credits$10,578$13,492$12,070$36,140
Divided by ounces produced2,7731,2624,035
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$21.80$21.03$21.56
By-product credits per ounce(20.64)(16.73)(19.42)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$1.16$4.30$2.14
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$24.46$27.42$28.38
By-product credits per ounce(20.64)(16.73)(19.42)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$3.82$10.69$8.96
In thousands (except per ounce amounts)Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 (5)
Gold - Casa Berardi · Other · Total Gold and Other
Total cost of sales$62,998$732$63,730
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(14,036)(47)(14,083)
Treatment costs467—467
Change in product inventory(2,417)—(2,417)
Reclamation and other costs(217)—(217)
Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (5)(2,851)—(2,851)
Exclusion of Other costs—(685)(685)
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)43,944—43,944
Reclamation and other costs217—217
Sustaining capital15,015—15,015
AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)59,17659,176
By-product credits:
Silver(127)—(127)
Total By-product credits(127)—(127)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits$43,817$—$43,817
AISC, After By-product Credits$59,049$—$59,049
Divided by ounces produced25—25
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$1,780$—$1,780
By-product credits per ounce(5)—(5)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$1,775$—$1,775
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$2,397$—$2,397
By-product credits per ounce(5)—(5)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$2,392$—$2,392
In thousands (except per ounce amounts)Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 (5)
Total SilverTotal Gold and OtherTotal
Total cost of sales$100,822$63,730$164,552
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(24,919)(14,083)(39,002)
Treatment costs15,64546716,112
Change in product inventory(4,024)(2,417)(6,441)
Reclamation and other costs(538)(217)(755)
Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (5)—(2,851)(2,851)
Exclusion of Nevada Operations and other costs—(685)(685)
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)86,98643,944130,930
Reclamation and other costs1,0072171,224
Sustaining capital14,42515,01529,440
General and administrative12,070—12,070
AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)114,48859,176173,664
By-product credits:
Zinc(30,821)—(30,821)
Gold(25,286)—(25,286)
Lead(22,241)—(22,241)
Silver—(127)(127)
Total By-product credits(78,348)(127)(78,475)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits$8,638$43,817$52,455
AISC, After By-product Credits$36,140$59,049$95,189
Divided by ounces produced4,03525
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$21.56$1,780
By-product credits per ounce(19.42)(5)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$2.14$1,775
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce$28.38$2,397
By-product credits per ounce(19.42)(5)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce$8.96$2,392

(1)

Includes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs and royalties, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each operation. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs.

(2)

AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital.

(3)

Lucky Friday operations were suspended in August 2023 following the underground fire in the #2 shaft secondary egress and resumed on January 9, 2024. The portion of cash costs, sustaining costs, by-product credits, and silver production incurred during the suspension period are excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

(4)

Other includes $3.9 million and $0.5 million of total cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 respectively, related to the environmental services business acquired as part of the Alexco acquisition.

(5)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company completed the necessary studies to conclude usage of the F-160 pit as a tailings storage facility after mining is complete. As a result, a portion of the mining costs have been excluded from Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits.

(6)

Keno Hill is in the ramp-up phase of production and is excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

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The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.