CAPITAL MARKETS

Highly profitable year for Silver Lake after M&A and increased gold price

Production from Deflector and bullion strength underpin headline performance

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The headline number included "an income tax benefit of $123.7 million driven primarily by the recognition of carry forward tax losses that are available for offset against future taxable profits".

Earnings totalled $260 million versus $80 million a year earlier (on an EBITDA basis), with the averaged realised gold price rising from $1754 an ounce to $2132/oz over the same period.

The results were achieved on "gold equivalent" production sales of 273,071 ounces, comprising 255,533oz of gold and 2175t of copper - with all-in sustaining costs of $1295/oz - up from 171,322oz of gold a year earlier.

The main contributor to the increased production was the 2019-acquired Deflector operation that was only on Silver Lake's books for three months of the previous financial result.

Silver Lake's margin increased from 27% to 46% year-on-year, with the realised gold price increasing 21%.

Production sales are flagged to fall and costs increase in the current year to 240,000-250,000oz (and 1100t of copper), at AISC of $1400-1500/oz.

Silver Lake has current reserves of 1.2 million ounces.

Cash and bullion increased $138 million year on year to $269 million.

Dividends at the debt-free miner remain off the agenda. 

Shares in Silver Lake were up 2.5% to $2.41 in early trade, capitalising the company at $2.1 billion.

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