Rodeo Property Has Begun Processing Gold and Silver


GOLDEN, CO - Golden Minerals Company, President and Chief Executive Officer, Warren Rehn, reported, “The first quarter of 2021 has been transformational for Golden Minerals, as we report results as a gold-silver producer for the first time since 2015. We are exceptionally pleased to have begun processing gold and silver from our Rodeo Property in January 2021. At the end of April, we surpassed our daily throughput goal at our oxide plant of 450 tpd with the successful commissioning of the second ball mill installed at the plant. We remain on track to achieve 2021 production guidance of 12,000-14,000 oz gold and 25,000-30,000 oz silver. We anticipate announcing further success as we anticipate reporting net income at the corporate level during the second quarter of 2021.”

The Company reported revenue of $1.8 million in the first quarter 2021, all from the sale of gold and silver bearing dore bars from Rodeo operations in Mexico. Costs of metals sold, which include direct and indirect costs incurred to mine and process the products, were $1.5 million. Rodeo operations generated a positive net operating margin of over $0.2 million. Also during the first quarter, Golden received $1.8 million net of fees from equity sales under its existing At the Market Program (ATM Program) and $1.0 million from the exercise of warrants issued in past common stock offerings. Exploration expenses were $0.8 million in the first quarter, primarily reflecting exploration work at Yoquivo and the commencement of a drill program targeting resource expansion at Rodeo. The Company incurred $0.5 million in capital expenditures during the first quarter, primarily related to construction of a new regrind mill circuit related to the Rodeo Property. El Quevar project expense was $0.1 million in the quarter which includes costs of exploration and evaluation activities, care and maintenance and property holding costs, net of reimbursements from Barrick Gold under the terms of an Earn-In Agreement.

Administrative expenses totaled $1.5 million in the first quarter 2021, including costs associated with being a public company that are incurred primarily by the Company’s corporate activities in support of the Rodeo Property, the Velardena Properties, the Yoquivo project and the balance of the Company’s exploration portfolio. Golden reported a net loss of $3.2 million in the first quarter 2021 compared to a net loss of $3.3 million in the year ago period.

Activities at the Rodeo operation and the Velardena Properties, including mining and processing, were not interrupted as a result of the pandemic during the first quarter 2021. The Company undertook several initiatives and installed multiple safety practices in 2020 in response to the pandemic and continues to carry out these initiatives and practices. The Company will continue to follow World Health Organization protocols at all its projects and offices. Business and financial projections are current as of the date of this news release but could be negatively impacted if business interruptions related to COVID-19 occur.