2015

TORONTO, ONTARIO—August 14, 2015—Americas Silver Corporation (TSX: SPM)(OTCQX: SMNPF) (“Americas Silver Corporation” or “the Company”) today reported financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2015.

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s MD&A, Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements for the corresponding period, which have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and are also available on the Company’s website at www.americassilvercorp.com. All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Revenues of $15.3 million and a net loss of $1.5 million compared with revenues of $8.8 million and a net loss of $1.8 million in Q2, 2014.
• Consolidated production was approximately 661,000 silver ounces and 1.15 million silver equivalent ounces[1], down 7% and 8% respectively compared with Q1, 2015; while consolidated cash costs[2] decreased 1% to $12.35 per silver ounce compared with the previous quarter, and all-in sustaining costs2 fell 3% to approximately $16.70 per silver ounce compared with the previous quarter.
• Today, the Company announced a CDN$3.0 million equity offering and credit agreement with certain key large shareholders to fund existing low capital projects and further strengthen the balance sheet.
• On June 30, 2015, the Company announced amended terms for its CDN$8.5 million credit agreement with Royal Capital Management Corporation, which extend the maturity date to December, 2017 and reschedule amortization payments to January, 2017.
• Cash balance was $5.6 million and net working capital was $15.3 million at June 30, 3015.
• Consolidated guidance for 2015 remains at 2.6 - 3.0 million silver ounces and 4.6 - 5.2 million silver equivalent ounces at cash costs of $11.50 - $12.50 per ounce and all-in sustaining cash costs of $16.50 - $17.50 per ounce. 

“Our focus continues to be on lowering operating costs and strengthening our financial flexibility, with the goal of cash flow positive operations in the second half of the year,” said Americas Silver Corporation President and CEO Darren Blasutti. “As we ramp up our silver and silver equivalent production in the second half of 2015, production costs will continue to decline as we maintain vigilant cost and capital controls throughout the organization.”

Consolidated Production and Operating Costs

As reported in the July 23, 2015 press release, consolidated silver production was 661,393 ounces for the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 7% over the previous quarter and 21% year-over-year. Silver equivalent production was approximately 1.15 million ounces, down 8% over the previous quarter and 6% year-over-year, with grade down 1% compared with Q1, 2015 and 10% year-over-year. Lead production fell 1% compared with Q1, 2015 and increased 35% year-over-year. Lower production can primarily be attributed to hoist issues at the Galena Complex which are expected to be resolved in the third quarter.

Consolidated cash costs fell 1% to $12.35 per silver ounce compared with the prior quarter and rose 6% year-over-year; while all-in sustaining costs dropped 3% to $16.70 per silver ounce compared with Q1, 2015 and 8% year-over-year. Cash costs and all-in sustaining costs remained within the Company’s projected annual guidance of $11.50-$12.50 per silver ounce and $16.50-$17.50 per silver ounce respectively. These costs are expected to fall as silver-lead production from the Galena Complex returns to normal in the third quarter.

A net loss of $1.5 million was recorded for the quarter, compared with a net loss of $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2014. The decrease was primarily attributable to higher net profit on commodity sales, lower depletion and amortization, and higher income tax recovery, partially offset by higher care and maintenance, corporate, general and administrative expenses and exploration costs.

Discussion of Consolidated Operations

¹ Silver equivalent ounces are based on prices of $17 per ounce silver, $0.95 per pound zinc, $0.90 per pound lead, and $2.90 per pound copper for fiscal 2015, and $20 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound zinc, $0.95 per pound lead, and $3.00 per pound copper for fiscal 2014.

² Cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition. For further information and detailed reconciliations, please refer to the Company’s 2014 year-end MD&A and quarterly MD&A.

Cosalá Operations

The Cosalá Operations processed 124,809 tonnes of ore at an average silver grade of 91 grams per tonne to produce 304,610 ounces of silver at a cash cost of $9.23 per ounce, or 603,296 ounces of silver equivalent at an all-in sustaining silver cost of $12.34 per ounce. This compares to 139,581 tonnes of ore processed in Q2, 2014 at an average silver grade of 85 grams per tonne to produce 316,738 ounces of silver at a cash cost of $10.62 per ounce, or 577,773 ounces of silver equivalent at an all-in sustaining cost of $22.92 per ounce.

¹ Silver equivalent ounces are based on prices of $17 per ounce silver, $0.95 per pound zinc, $0.90 per pound lead, and $2.90 per pound copper for fiscal 2015, and $20 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound zinc, $0.95 per pound lead, and $3.00 per pound copper for fiscal 2014.

² Increase in lead recoveries during Q2, 2015 is a result of an adjustment to lead production from copper concentrate under a new smelter agreement in the first half of 2015.

³ Cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition. For further information and detailed reconciliations, please refer to the Company’s 2014 year-end MD&A and quarterly MD&A.

Despite a reduction in silver ounces year-over-year, all-in sustaining costs were down $10.58 per silver ounce. The shutdown of El Cajón, corresponding reduction in workforce and use of systematic cost controls delivered a significant decline in production costs. Looking to the second half of the year, the Cosalá operations are expected to increase silver and silver equivalent production while lowering costs, assuming current metal prices.

Galena Complex

The Galena Complex processed 33,586 tonnes of ore at an average silver grade of 355 grams per tonne to produce 356,783 ounces of silver at a cash cost of $15.00 per ounce, and 545,473 ounces of silver equivalent at an all-in sustaining cost of $20.42 per ounce. This compares to 36,438 tonnes of ore processed in Q2, 2014 at an average grade of 463 grams per tonne to produce 520,723 ounces of silver at cash costs of $12.31 per ounce, and 649,928 ounces of silver equivalent at an all-in sustaining cost of $15.36 per ounce.

The Galena Shaft experienced a hoist clutch failure early in the quarter limiting production to the capacity of the No. 3 hoist. As reported in the July 23, 2015 press release, second quarter production was roughly 10,000 tonnes below budget as a result. These issues are expected to be resolved in the third quarter and there will be a full recovery of the lost tonnage over the remainder of the year assisted in part by new production from a recently developed silver-lead area on the 3400 level.

¹ Lead and silver grades only refer to grades in silver-lead and silver-copper ores, respectively.

² Silver equivalent ounces are based on prices of $17.00 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound lead, and $2.90 per pound copper for fiscal 2015, and $20 per ounce silver, $0.95 per pound lead, and $3.00 per pound copper for fiscal 2014.

³ Cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition. For further information and detailed reconciliations, please refer to the Company’s 2014 year-end MD&A and quarterly MD&A.

Newly refurbished components for the Galena hoist were received after the quarter-end and installation is underway. The Galena Shaft is expected to be fully operational in the next few weeks. As a result, production levels will recover assisted by commencement of production from a recently developed silver-lead area on the 3400 level, which will drive increased silver and silver equivalent production and lower production costs in the second half of 2015.

Development and Exploration Update

Cosalá Operations

San Rafael

During the first half of the year Management advanced the San Rafael Project, completing approximately 1,000 meters of surface drilling to assess and better define the characteristics of the host rocks and mineralization, as well as generate fresh sample for metallurgical testing. The deposit hosts a large polymetallic resource and current efforts are focused on updating geological models, confirming metallurgy and establishing preliminary mine design. The Company expects a prefeasibility study for this project to be completed during the second half of the year. Surface mapping and data compilation continued. An area of suspected massive sulphide mineralization was uncovered south of the known San Rafael deposit. Hand trenching and sampling is underway and a plan is being developed to attempt mechanical trenching.

Regional Mapping

Surface mapping in areas above Nuestra Señora and south of San Rafael is underway to assist with interpretation of these mineral deposits and to help define new and/or expanded resources. A zone of skarn with sulphides has been traced on surface from the Nuestra Señora area to the south and west for a distance of over 1,500 meters. Sampling and detailed exploration of the zone continues.

Galena Complex

Drilling at the Galena Complex during the second quarter continued to focus on near-term resources. The work was concentrated on silver-lead targets around the 3200 level. Geologists continue to improve their understanding of potentially high-grade, mineable, extensive silver-lead mineralization between the 2800 to 3700 level area. Sections in this part of the mine underwent limited historical development and development has commenced in preparation for renewed mining in these areas. Meaningful production is expected to begin later in 2015.

Equity Offering and Credit Agreement

The Company ended the second quarter with $5.6 million in cash and $15.3 million in working capital. However, in light of current metal prices, it has taken actions to protect itself from further downturns while funding low capital, high return projects by raising approximately CDN $3 million pursuant to equity and debt financing arrangements. 

The equity financing is pursuant to a Private Placement offering of units (“Units”) for a minimum of CDN $1.7 million on a “best efforts” basis.  A number of current institutional shareholders are expected to participate.  The offering price will be CDN $0.18 per Unit.  Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a “Warrant”).  Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of CDN $0.25 for a period of 36 months from the closing.  The Private Placement is subject to a number of standard conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and applicable securities regulatory authorities and entering into definitive transaction documents.[3]

Medalist Capital Ltd has acted as agent (the “Agent”) for the brokered portion of the Private Placement and will receive a commission in connection with these services.

The Company has also agreed to terms regarding subordinated debt of $1 million with a certain lender in the form of secured second lien notes (the “Subordinated Notes”) with a 12 month term. Interest on the Subordinated Notes will accrue from the closing at a rate of 12% and will be payable monthly in cash beginning the sixth month following closing with the balance due on maturity.  The Subordinated Notes will be secured by all assets, other than real property assets, which are charged by the existing first lien loan and will rank second behind the existing first lien loan. The debt may be repaid at any time during the term at 100% of principal plus accrued interest to the date of repayment. The Company will issue Warrants to the lender on the same terms, including coverage ratio, referenced above for the Private Placement adjusted for the USD/CAD exchange ratio at the time of issuance on closing.  The financing is expected to close within 30 days of this announcement and is subject to a number of conditions precedent including, but not limited to, satisfactory completion of due diligence and entering into definitive transaction documents.

The net proceeds from the sale of the Units and Subordinated Notes will be used to complete the Galena 3000 level silver-lead development, partially extract a crown pillar at Nuestra Senora, complete the San Rafael pre-feasibility study and for general administrative and corporate purposes. The offering is expected to close on or about August, 20, 2015.

As previously announced, the Company has amended the terms of its existing CDN $8.5 million credit agreement with Royal Capital Management Corporation to extend the maturity date of the facility from August 2016 to December 2017. The amendment also amended the terms of the amortization payments to January 2017 in monthly increments of CDN$0.5 million, with the balance due and payable on maturity.

About Americas Silver

Americas Silver Corporation is a mining company focused on growth in precious metals from its existing asset base and execution of targeted accretive acquisitions. Americas owns and operates the Cosalá Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico and the Galena Mine Complex in Idaho, USA.

Mr. Daren Dell, Senior Vice-President Technical Services and a Qualified Person under Canadian Securities Administrators guidelines, has approved the applicable contents of this news release.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (“QA/QC”)

The Company maintains a QA/QC Program for assays, including the use of standards, blanks and duplicates. All QA/QC results are routinely evaluated using a program of QA/QC monitoring. Details of the program are provided in the Company’s NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report on the Galena Complex and Cosalá Operations which are available at sedar.com

For further information please see SEDAR or americassilvercorp.com.     

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains “forward‐looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward‐looking information includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s expectations intentions, plans, assumptions and beliefs with respect to, among other things, the Cosalá Operations and Galena Complex. Often, but not always, forward‐looking information can be identified by forward‐looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “goal”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “may”, “assume” and “will” or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward‐looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of the Company as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. This includes the ability to develop and operate the Cosalá and Galena properties, risks associated with the mining industry such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations and energy prices), failure of plant, equipment, processes and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, government regulation, actual results of current exploration activities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital expenditures, reclamation activities, social and political developments and other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward‐looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. By its nature, forward‐looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, and projections of various future events will not occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward‐looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

For more information:

Darren Blasutti
President and CEO
416-848-9503

[1] Silver equivalent figures are based on prices of $17.00 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound lead, $0.95 per pound zinc and $2.90 per pound copper throughout this press release.

[2] Cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition. For further information and detailed reconciliations, please refer to the Company’s 2014 year-end and quarterly MD&A. 

[3] The Private Placement will be made on a private placement basis, exempt from prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities law.  The securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an application exemption from registration.  This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sales of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.