Mr. Charlie Muerhoff reports
TAHOE ACHIEVES RECORD GOLD PRODUCTION IN 2017
Tahoe Resources Inc. had record gold production of 445,000 ounces in 2017, achieving the high end of its annual gold production guidance range of 400,000 to 450,000 ounces, which was revised upward in September, 2017. The strong gold production for the year was driven primarily by La Arena, which exceeded its guidance due to continuing positive mine plan reconciliation with both higher grade and additional tonnes. The outstanding performance from the gold business in 2017 underscores the increasingly meaningful contribution of the gold segment to the overall financial performance of the company.
GOLD PRODUCTION (000S OZ)
Q4 2017 Full year 2017 2017 revised guidance 2017 initial guidance
La Arena 47 196 170-190 145-155
Shahuindo 19 79 65-80 65-85
Timmins 40 167 165-180 165-185
Total gold production 106 445* 400-450 375-425
* Total gold production for full year 2017 includes Escobal gold production of 3,500 ounces.
Total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs for the full year 2017 are expected to be at or below the low end of the revised gold guidance range of between $650 and $700 per ounce and between $1,050 and $1,150 per ounce, respectively, driven by higher production levels and lower operating and capital costs. General and administrative expenses are expected to be at the low end of revised guidance, with exploration in line with expectations.
Project capital for the near-term expansion projects is expected to be at the low end of the revised guidance of $100-million to $115-million for the year. As a reminder, the initial project capital guidance for 2017 was $150-million to $175-million, but was revised downward by $50-million to $60-million due to a deferral in timing of spend and prudent capital management by the company in response to the Escobal mine suspension. Both major expansion projects -- the Shahuindo Crushing and agglomeration expansion and the Bell creek shaft project -- remain within their respective estimated total project spend of $80-million each. The remaining project capital that was not incurred in 2017 will be spent in 2018 to complete the projects. Both projects remain on schedule to be completed by mid-2018.
Total silver production for 2017 was 9.9 million ounces, predominantly from the Escobal mine during the first half of the year. There has been no production at Escobal since June 7, 2017, due to the continuing suspension of operations.
Despite the continuing interruption of mining operations at Escobal, Tahoe ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $125-million at Dec. 31, 2017. In addition, the company has access to $75-million of the $300-million revolving credit facility that matures on July 19, 2021, which remains fully undrawn. As previously reported, the credit agreement includes terms that limit borrowing to a maximum of $75-million during the period of suspension of the mining operations at Escobal. The company is working with its bank syndicate to renegotiate its credit facility which it expects to complete during the first quarter.
More detailed information relating to production and costs as well as updated gold guidance for 2018 to 2020 will be provided together with Tahoe's fourth quarter and full-year 2017 earnings release on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, after the market close. Tahoe will host a conference call on Feb. 23, 2018, at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT) to discuss the results.
Q4 2017 and full-year 2017 earnings call information:
Date: Friday, Feb. 23, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT)
Dial-in number: 800-319-4610 (toll-free in United States and Canada)
Dial-in number: 604-638-5340 (International)
About Tahoe Resources Inc.
Tahoe's strategy is to responsibly operate mines to world standards and to develop high-quality precious metal assets in the Americas. Tahoe is a member of the S&P/TSX Composite and TSX Global Mining indices and the GDX and Russell 3000 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Qualified person statement
Technical information in this press release has been approved by Charlie Muerhoff, vice-president, technical services, Tahoe Resources, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
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