Pan American Silver — Significant resources upgrade at Skarn

Pan American Silver (NYSE: PAAS)

Last close As at 21/11/2024

USD22.91

0.49 (2.19%)

Market capitalisation

USD8,317m

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Research: Metals & Mining

Pan American Silver — Significant resources upgrade at Skarn

Pan American Silver (PAAS) has upgraded its total mineral resources estimate at the La Colorada Skarn project to 227Moz in contained Ag from 141Moz (albeit at a lower silver grade), promoting a significant part of the resource into the indicated category. Despite the slight net positive effect of the resource upgrade on the valuation, we maintain our combined value of PAAS at US$27.5/share against the current backdrop of heightened commodity price volatility. While the silver price appears well supported at the current levels, gold remains under pressure due to the current environment of aggressive interest rate hikes.

Written by

Andrey Litvin

Energy and Resources Analyst

Metals & Mining

Pan American Silver

Significant resources upgrade at Skarn

Project update

Metals and mining

16 September 2022

Price

US$16.1

Market cap

US$3,389m

Net cash (US$m) at Q222 (excluding short-term investments)

131.6

Shares in issue

210.5m

Free float

100%

Code

PAAS

Primary exchange

TSX

Secondary exchange

NYSE

Share price performance

Business description

Pan American Silver is one of the largest global primary silver producers and a sizeable gold miner with operations in North, Central and South America since 1994. The company owns eight producing operations, the currently suspended top-tier Escobal silver mine and a number of large-scale advanced exploration projects.

Analyst

Andrey Litvin

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Pan American Silver is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Pan American Silver (PAAS) has upgraded its total mineral resources estimate at the La Colorada Skarn project to 227Moz in contained Ag from 141Moz (albeit at a lower silver grade), promoting a significant part of the resource into the indicated category. Despite the slight net positive effect of the resource upgrade on the valuation, we maintain our combined value of PAAS at US$27.5/share against the current backdrop of heightened commodity price volatility. While the silver price appears well supported at the current levels, gold remains under pressure due to the current environment of aggressive interest rate hikes.

Year end

Revenue (US$m)

EBITDA
(US$m)

EPS*
(US$)

DPS
(US$)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/20

1,338.8

469.1

0.57

0.22

28.2

1.4

12/21

1,632.8

593.2

0.60

0.34

26.8

2.1

12/22e

1,614.9

400.1

0.17

0.47

94.7

2.9

12/23e

1,581.1

509.5

0.61

0.64

26.4

4.0

Note: *EPS is normalised, excluding exceptional items.

PAAS reported a significant increase in the mineral resources estimate at its large-scale, advanced exploration stage La Colorada Skarn project, with overall contained silver of 227.3Moz at 29g/t compared to 141.0Moz at 44g/t reported in August 2020. In addition, a significant part of the resource was promoted from the inferred to the indicated category, which now represents 42% of the combined resources estimate. The reported resources are based on 190,000m of drilling and do not take into account an additional 40,000m of drilling completed after the cut-off date (see our flash note covering the drill results announced on 16 July 2022). PAAS continues its exploration work and preliminary engineering studies and plans to release an update on resources and a preliminary economic assessment on the project during the course of 2023. This should provide first indications of the project’s development routes and its cash flow-based valuation potential.

At present, we value the Skarn project using a peer group-derived EV/resources multiple. On a standalone basis, our valuation of the project would increase as the lower valuation multiple (US$0.9/oz of contained Ag versus US$1.2/oz before) is more than offset by the increase in mineral resources. However, given the prevailing volatility in commodity prices, we maintain our combined valuation of PAAS at US$27.5/share. The shares remain depressed, as the market continues to focus on the near-term macroeconomic challenges, and in our view do not fully reflect the company’s exposure to silver as an energy transition metal through its quality project portfolio and the relatively long life and low-cost nature of its core silver operations.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Pan American Silver and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Pan American Silver. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Pan American Silver and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Pan American Silver. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2022 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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