July 26, 2023

SILVER X REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2023 PRODUCTION RESULTS, PLACES OPERATIONS TEMPORARILY ON HOLD TO LAUNCH AN OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND PROVIDES UPDATE ON THE EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY

Vancouver, BC, July 26, 2023 – Silver X Mining Corp. (TSX-V: AGX) (OTCQB: AGXPF) (F: AGX) (“Silver X” or the “Company”) reports production results for the three months ended June 30, 2023, for the Company’s wholly-owned Nueva Recuperada project (the “Project”) in central Peru, announces the implementation of an operational performance enhancing plan at the Project and provides an update on the negotiations of the community agreement.

Second Quarter 2023 Production Highlights

  • Steady production continued during the quarter with total throughput of 35,392 tonnes (20,877 in the second quarter (“Q2”) of 2022).
  • Total processed 296,493 silver equivalent (“AgEq”)(2) ounces in Q2 2023, 35% more than 219,488 AgEq ounces in Q2 2022.
  • Metal production of 248,42 AgEq ounces with an average head grade of 269 g/t AgEq (156,501 AgEq ounces with an average head grade of 310 g/t AgEq in Q2 2022).

“Silver X keeps on making progress with our Nueva Recuperada Project. We experienced unexpected drop in grades in some mineralized areas, which drove the metal production down, staying at the previous quarter’s level (see Silver X’s press release dated May 11, 2023). At the same time, project development remained on track with 2,133 meters of underground development during the quarter”, stated Jose M. Garcia, CEO of Silver X.

Second Quarter 2023 Production Results

Notes:

(1) In December 20222 Nueva Recuperada Project completed the ramp up period of its operations and declared the start of the Commercial production in January 2023.
(2) AgEq ounces produced were calculated based on all metals produced using the average sales prices of each metal for each month during the period. Revenues from concentrate sales does not consider metallurgical recoveries in the calculations as the metal recoveries are built into the sales amounts.
In Q2 2023, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of US$24.09 per oz Ag, U$1,977 per oz Au, US$0.96 per lb of Pb and US$1.14 per lb of Zn. In Q2 2022, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of US$20.70 per oz Ag, U$1,803 per oz Au, US$0.93 per lb of Pb and US$1.57 per lb of Zn. For the YTD 2023, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of US$23.40 per oz Ag, U$1,934 per oz Au, US$0.96 per lb of Pb and US$1.28 per lb of Zn.  For the YTD 2022, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of US$21.87 per oz Ag, U$1,823 per oz Au, US$0.98 per lb of Pb and US$1.68 per lb of Zn.

Operational Performance enhancing plan and update on negotiations of the community agreement.  

“We have been working with our technical team, consultants, and contractors on several alternatives to enhance metal throughput at the Project while reducing operating costs. Within this context, the Company has decided to place the operations on hold for an estimated period between 30 and 45 days to implement a strategic operational reset (“Operational Reset”). Additionally, we have commenced an accelerated in-fill drilling program the goal of which is to increase the category of our resource and to provide a more solid mine schedule for the next few years” stated Jose M. Garcia, CEO of Silver X. 

Jose M. Garcia continued: “In recent weeks, our operations have been disrupted by certain local suppliers pursuing individual benefits. These disruptions have included road blockades and other unlawful actions, causing distress for our workforce and key partners. We are currently in negotiations to extend our social agreement for a minimum of ten years, which would represent a significant endorsement to the project. In the meantime, we are safely slowing down our operations to ensure the safety of all involved. Silver X remains fully committed to the Huachocolpa community and our vision of making a positive impact in its history. This pause in operations presents an opportunity for us to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement in a spirit of collaboration and harmony.” 

As part of the Operational Reset the Company aims to reduce operational costs by 20% and bring production back to the 165koz AgEq per month (50% throughput increase). The Company has been working to define a more solid mine plan, including a detailed mine development schedule and improvements in the mining method. As a result of this Operational Reset, the Company expect to accelerate underground development ahead of production, allow the preparation of multiple headings and the leveling of production tonnage and grades. Furthermore, the Company will reduce its headcount, will rationalize operations in close collaboration with its main mine contractor, and will implement a specific mill maintenance program.  

A summary of the Operational Reset’s objectives is: 

  • 50% metal throughput increase, 20% cost reduction. 
  • Accelerated in-fill drilling program. 
  • Reduction of headcount, rationalization of mine operations, reinforcing its strategic alliance with the main mine contractor 
  • Wide implementation of sublevel stoping mining method and mill maintenance program 
  • Negotiation with local communities for the extension of social agreement for a minimum of 10 additional years 

 Corporate Update 

Silver X also announces the resignation of Fiona Grant Leydier as Vice President, Investor Relations, and Corporate Marketing effective immediately.  Ms. Grant Leydier is leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities.  The Company wishes Ms. Grant Leydier every success in her future endeavors. 

Qualified Person 

Mr. A. David Heyl, B.Sc., C.P.G who is a qualified person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release for Silver X. Mr. A. David Heyl is a consultant for Silver X. 

Cautionary Note regarding Production without Mineral Reserves 

The decision to commence production at the Nueva Recuperada Project and the Company’s ongoing mining operations as referenced herein (the “Production Decision and Operations“) are based on economic models prepared by the Company in conjunction with management’s knowledge of the property and the existing estimate of inferred mineral resources on the property. The Production Decision and Operations are not based on a preliminary economic assessment, a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with the Production Decision and Operations, in particular: the risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected; the risk that additional construction or ongoing mining operations are more difficult or more expensive than expected; and production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis in accordance with NI 43-101. 

About Silver X

Silver X is a growing silver producer building a multi-asset precious metals platform in Peru. The Company’s portfolio includes the Nueva Recuperada Project, a district-scale land package of 20,795 hectares with two mining units and more than 200 exploration targets, as well as the recently acquired Pampas Project.

With existing production, scalable expansion opportunities, and significant exploration upside, Silver X is positioned for continued growth and long-term value creation. For more information visit our website at www.silverxmining.com.

On Behalf of the Board

José M. García

CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

Susan Xu
Investor Relations

NON-IFRS MEASURES

The Company has included certain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios in this news release, as discussed below. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures and ratios are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These financial measures and ratios do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

“EBITDA” is comprised as income (loss) less interest, income tax and depreciation and amortization. Management believes that EBITDA is a useful indicator for investors, and is used by management, in evaluating the operating performance of the Company. See “Reconciliation of Net (Loss) / Income to Adjusted EBITDA” for a quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA to the most directly comparable financial measure.

“Adjusted EBITDA” is comprised as income (loss) less interest, income tax, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, foreign exchange gain (loss), and certain non-recurring or non-cash items where applicable. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator for investors, and is used by management, in evaluating the operating performance of the Company.

Cash Costs and All-In Sustaining Cost (“AISC”)

The Company uses cash costs, cash costs per AgEq ounce produced, AISC, and AISC per AgEq ounce produced to manage and evaluate its operating performance in addition to IFRS measures because the Company believes that conventional measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS do not fully illustrate the ability of its operations to generate cash flows. Management and certain investors also use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance relative to peers who present this measure on a similar basis.

Cash costs are calculated by starting with cost of sales, and then adding treatment and refining charges, and changes in depreciation and amortization. Cash costs per AgEq ounce is calculated by dividing cash costs by the AgEq ounces produced. AISC and AISC per AgEq ounce produced are calculated based on guidance published by the World Gold Council and used as a standard of the Silver Institute. AISC is calculated by taking the cash costs and adding sustaining costs. Sustaining costs are defined as capital expenditures and other expenditures that are necessary to maintain current production. Management has exercised judgment in making this determination.

Cautionary Note Regarding Production without Mineral Reserves

The decision to commence production at the Nueva Recuperada Project and the Company’s ongoing mining operations as referenced herein (the “Production Decision and Operations”) are based on economic models prepared by the Company in conjunction with management’s knowledge of the property and the existing estimate of mineral resources on the property. The Production Decision and Operations are not based on a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. The 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment referred to in this news release is preliminary in nature, includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that its results will be realized. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with the Production Decision and Operations, in particular: the risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected; the risk that additional construction or ongoing mining operations are more difficult or more expensive than expected; and production and economic variables may vary considerably.

Cautionary Statement Regarding “Forward-Looking” Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (“forward-looking information”). Forward-looking information is generally identified by words such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “targets”, “believes”, or similar expressions, including statements that certain events or results “may”, “could”, “would” or “will” occur. All statements other than historical facts constitute forward-looking information, including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing and achievement of a 1,000 tpd run rate, expected unit cost reductions, exploration plans and results, the timing of permits, the sufficiency of the Company’s capital resources, and the production and economic outcomes contemplated by the 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including that general economic and business conditions will not materially worsen; commodity demand and prices will remain stable or improve; required permits and approvals will be obtained on a timely basis; operations will not be materially disrupted by accidents, labour issues or equipment failures; financing will be available; equipment and supplies will be accessible as needed; resource estimates and underlying assumptions (including size, grade and recovery) are reasonable; and the Company will be able to attract and retain qualified personnel and execute its strategic objectives.

Forward-looking information 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, including but not limited to those risks described in the Company’s annual and interim MD&As and in its public documents filed on www.sedarplus.ca from time to time. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.