First Majestic Produces 7.9 Million AgEq Ounces in Q2 2025 Consisting of 3.7 Million Silver Ounces and 33,865 Gold Ounces; Announces Improved 2025 Production and Cost Guidance and Conference Call Details
"First Majestic continues to deliver on the commitments made at the start of the year," said Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO. "During the first half of the year, our operations achieved strong and consistent production, supported by disciplined cost management. We closed Q2 ahead of budget with strong momentum, despite weather-related disruptions and power outages in the final days of June that impacted production at Los Gatos, San Dimas and La Encantada. Looking ahead, we are revising our 2025 guidance positively to reflect improved production and cost targets. The integration of Los Gatos is progressing well, with numerous synergies and opportunities already being identified and leveraged. Operational performance at Santa Elena and San Dimas continues to meet or exceed expectations, allowing us to capitalize on the favourable metal price environment. While La Encantada had a slower start to the year, we anticipate a stronger second half, with both production and cost performance expected to improve."
Q2 2025 PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Silver Production (+76% Y/Y): The Company produced 3.7 million silver ounces in Q2 2025 representing a 76% increase when compared to 2.1 million silver ounces produced in Q2 2024. Total silver production in the quarter included 1.5 million ounces of attributable silver production from Los Gatos.
Silver Equivalent Production (+48% Y/Y): The Company produced 7.9 million AgEq ounces in Q2 2025, a 48% increase compared to 5.3 million AgEq ounces in Q2 2024. This growth was primarily driven by a 76% increase in attributable silver production, including contributions from Los Gatos, as well as a 17% production increase at San Dimas.
Continued Active Exploration Program: During the second quarter, the Company completed a total of 67,830 metres ("m") of drilling across its mines in Mexico. Throughout the quarter, up to 28 drill rigs were active consisting of seven rigs at Los Gatos, seven rigs at Santa Elena, 13 rigs at San Dimas and one rig at La Encantada.
High-Grade Gold and Silver Discovery: The Company announced the discovery of a second new, high-grade gold and silver vein hosted system - Santo Niño - at the Santa Elena property (see news release dated May 28, 2025). The Santo Niño discovery is 900 m south of the Santa Elena plant and is the second significant discovery made by the Company in the past 12 months.
Strong Safety Performance Continues: The consolidated Q2 2025 Total Reportable Incident Frequency Rate ("TRIFR") was 0.52, below the Company's 2025 target KPI of 0.70. The Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate ("LTIFR") was 0.11 compared to 0.12 from the same period last year.
Attributable Consolidated Production Details:
Q2
Q2
Y/YQ1
Q/Q
2025
2024
Change
Attributable Consolidated Production Results
2025
Change
1,003,804
674,570
49%
Ore processed/tonnes milled
944,373
6%
7,852,311
5,289,439
48%
Silver equivalent ounces produced
7,711,709
2%
3,701,995
2,104,181
76%
Silver ounces produced
3,704,503
0%
33,865
39,339
(14)%
Gold ounces produced
36,469
(7)%
16,063,947
N/A
N/A
Zinc pounds produced
12,492,869
29%
9,014,545
N/A
N/A
Lead pounds produced
7,487,065
20%
Consolidated production values include attributable ounces from the Los Gatos Silver Mine (70%) from January 16, 2025 onwards.
Q2 2025 Mine-by-Mine Production Details:
Mine
Ore Processed
Tonnes per Day
Ag Grade (g/t)
Au Grade (g/t)
Ag Recovery
Au Recovery
Ag Oz Produced
Au Oz Produced
AgEq Oz Produced
Los Gatos (100%)
333,543
3,665
230
0.20
88%
47%
2,178,499
1,009
3,481,031
Los Gatos (70%)
233,480
2,566
230
0.20
88%
47%
1,524,949
706
2,436,722
Santa Elena
269,830
2,965
55
2.54
64%
94%
306,224
20,637
2,318,618
San Dimas
219,198
2,409
197
1.90
90%
93%
1,242,717
12,472
2,464,029
La Encantada
281,296
3,091
106
0.01
65%
90%
628,105
49
632,942
Certain amounts shown in this table may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences
The metal prices that were used to calculate the silver equivalent ounces were, silver: $33.46/oz; gold: $3,270.57/oz; lead: $0.88/lb.; and zinc: $1.20/lb.
Silver equivalent ounces for the Los Gatos Silver Mine include 16,063,947 lbs. zinc and 9,014,545 lbs. lead (70% attributable basis) and 22,948,496 lbs. zinc and 12,877,921 lbs. lead (100% basis)
Los Gatos Silver Mine (reported on a 70% attributable basis):
During the second quarter, Los Gatos produced 2,436,722 attributable AgEq ounces, consisting of 1,524,949 ounces of silver, 16,063,947 pounds of zinc, 9,014,545 pounds of lead and 706 ounces of gold. Production at Los Gatos was slightly impacted at the end of June due to a weather-related power outage that lasted three days. Power was fully restored on July 1, 2025.
The mill processed a total of 233,480 tonnes of ore, with head grades of 230 g/t silver, 4.24 % zinc, 2.00% lead and 0.20 g/t gold. Management continues to focus on achieving a sustainably higher mill throughput at Los Gatos. In June, the mill reached a record average of 4,125 tonnes per day ("tpd"), based on operating days.
Silver, zinc, lead and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 88%, 74%, 88% and 47%, respectively.
During the quarter, five drill rigs completed 12,788 m of drilling on the property.
Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:
Santa Elena produced 2,318,618 AgEq ounces during the quarter, a decrease of 10% year-over-year, consisting of 306,224 ounces of silver and 20,637 ounces of gold. The decline in production was a result of lower grade ores from the Ermitaño mine and aligns with the mine plan. Q2 production was ahead of budget.
The mill processed a total of 269,830 tonnes of ore, 5% higher than the same period last year, with average silver and gold head grades of 55 g/t and 2.54 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold ore grades declined 28% and 20%, respectively, in line with the mine plan.
Silver and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 64% and 94%, respectively, compared to 66% and 94% in the same period last year.
During the quarter, seven drill rigs, consisting of five surface rigs and two underground rigs, completed 22,751 m of drilling on the property.
San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:
San Dimas produced 2,464,029 AgEq ounces during the quarter representing a 17% increase compared to Q2 2024, consisting of 1,242,717 ounces of silver and 12,472 ounces of gold. Silver production increased by 9%, while gold production increased by 4%, when compared to the same period last year. Quarterly performance was impacted by lower mined gold grades and a weather-related power interruption at the end of June that required electrical grid maintenance.
The mill processed a total of 219,198 tonnes of ore, an increase of 20% compared to Q2 2024, with average silver and gold grades of 197 g/t and 1.90 g/t, respectively, compared with 210 g/t and 2.15 g/t in the same period last year. Higher throughput was driven by increased mining rates, which enabled the buildup of an ore stockpile and supported above-nameplate mill performance during the quarter.
Silver and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 90% and 93%, respectively, compared to 92% and 95% in the same period last year.
During the quarter, a total of 13 drill rigs consisting of three surface rigs and 10 underground rigs completed 29,746 m of drilling on the property.
La Encantada Silver Mine:
During the quarter, La Encantada produced 628,105 ounces of silver, representing a 7% increase compared to Q2 2024, driven primarily by a 20% increase in ore processed, and an 8% increase in silver recovery, partially offset by lower silver grades. Production at La Encantada was slightly impacted in June by a severe weather event that disrupted power to the water pumping system. Power has since been restored, and production levels are returning to normal.
The mill processed a total of 281,296 tonnes of ore, a 20% increase over the same period last year, with an average silver grade of 106 g/t, compared to 129 g/t in the same period last year.
Silver recovery for the quarter was 65%, compared to 60% in Q2 2024. The improvement was primarily driven by the addition of lead nitrate and increased residence time, supported by improved water availability compared to the same period last year.
During the quarter, one underground drill rig completed 2,546 m of drilling on the property.
2025 OUTLOOK
The Company is updating its full year 2025 guidance, primarily to reflect the following changes:
Improved metal price environment: The silver and gold price assumptions for the second half of 2025 have been revised to $30.00 and $2,800 per ounce, respectively.
Los Gatos: Management is increasing the Los Gatos attributable production forecast to 9.1 - 9.7 million AgEq ounces, an increase of 6% (mid-point) compared to the original guidance. The revision is primarily driven by higher throughput rates and slightly improved silver grades, with a long-term objective of achieving and sustaining a throughput level of 4,000 tpd.
Santa Elena: Management is increasing the Santa Elena production forecast to 8.8 - 9.4 million AgEq ounces, an increase of 12% (mid-point) compared to the original guidance, primarily due to higher gold grades and slightly increased gold recoveries.
San Dimas: Management is increasing the San Dimas production forecast to 9.9 - 10.5 million AgEq ounces, an increase of 7% (mid-point) compared to the original guidance, primarily due to higher throughput rates.
Capital Investments: Management has increased the 2025 capital budget by 7% to $193 million to support key growth initiatives, including the plant expansion at Santa Elena, early-stage development at the Navidad discovery, and the acquisition of additional equipment to enhance and sustain higher throughput rates at Los Gatos.
As a result of the Company's strong production results in H1 2025 and continued operating efficiencies, the 2025 attributable consolidated production guidance has increased to 30.6 - 32.6 (mid-point: 31.6) million AgEq ounces, representing a 7% increase compared to the original guidance of 27.8 - 31.2 (mid-point: 29.5) million AgEq ounces, with a 6% and 2% increase in silver and gold production (mid-points), respectively, along with 11% and 8% increases in lead and zinc production (mid-points), respectively.
A mine-by-mine breakdown of the Company's revised 2025 production and cost guidance is included in the table below. The Company reports cost guidance to reflect cash costs and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") on a per AgEq attributable payable ounce basis. The metal price and foreign currency assumptions that were used to calculate the numbers below were: silver: $30.00/oz, gold: $2,800/oz, lead: $0.95/lb, zinc: $1.25/lb and MXN:USD 19.5:1.
Guidance for Full Year 2025:
Operation
Silver Oz(M)
Gold Oz(k)
Lead Lbs(M)
Zinc Lbs(M)
Silver Eqv. Oz (M)
Cash Cost($ per AgEq Oz)
AISC($ per AgEq Oz)
Los Gatos, Mexico (70%)
5.6 - 6.0
3
33 - 35
52 - 56
9.1 - 9.7
11.14 - 11.46
14.62 - 15.13
Santa Elena, Mexico
1.5 - 1.6
79 - 84
-
-
8.8 - 9.4
13.56 - 13.95
17.39 - 18.02
San Dimas, Mexico
4.9 - 5.2
53 - 57
-
-
9.9 - 10.5
14.11 - 14.56
18.38 - 19.10
La Encantada, Mexico
2.8 - 3.0
-
-
-
2.8 - 3.0
22.29 - 23.15
28.16 - 29.42
Operations Total
14.8 - 15.8
135 - 144
33 - 35
52 - 56
30.6 - 32.6
$13.94 - $14.37
$18.11 - $18.79
CorporateCorp. G&A and Services
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.91 - 2.03
Total Consolidated
14.8 - 15.8
135 - 144
33 - 35
52 - 56
30.6 - 32.6
$13.94 - $14.37
$20.02 - $20.82
Certain amounts shown in the above table may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
Cash Costs and AISC are non-GAAP measures and are not standardized financial measures under the Company's financial reporting framework. The Company calculates cash costs and consolidated AISC in the manner set out in the table below. These measures have been calculated on a basis consistent with historical periods. See "Non-GAAP Measures" at the end of this news release for further details regarding these measures.
For the full year of 2025, the Company now estimates silver production will range between 14.8 to 15.8 million ounces compared to the prior guidance of 13.6 to 15.3 million ounces, a 6% increase at the mid-point. Additionally, gold production is estimated to range between 135,000 to 144,000 ounces compared to the prior guidance of 129,000 to 144,000, a 2% increase at the mid-point.
Annual cash costs are now expected to be within the range of $13.94 to $14.37 per ounce, an improvement from previous guidance of $14.10 to $14.86 per ounce, primarily due to higher production.
The Company is projecting its consolidated 2025 AISC to be within the range of $20.02 to $20.82 on a per consolidated payable AgEq ounce basis, in-line with the original guidance range of $19.89 to $21.27 with a 1% improvement on the mid-point average. Excluding non-cash items, the Company anticipates its 2025 AISC to be within the range of $19.41 to $20.17 per payable AgEq ounce. An itemized AISC cost table is provided below:
All-In Sustaining Cost Calculation
FY 2025($ per AgEq oz)Total Cash Costs per Payable Equivalent Silver Ounce
13.94 - 14.37
General and Administrative Costs
1.46 - 1.56
Sustaining Development Costs
0.68 - 0.71
Sustaining Property, Plant and Equipment Costs
1.77 - 1.88
Profit Sharing
1.03 - 1.09
Lease Payments
0.53 - 0.56
Share-based Payments (non-cash)
0.45 - 0.48
Accretion and Reclamation Costs (non-cash)
0.16 - 0.17
All-In Sustaining Costs (AgEq Oz)
$20.02 - $20.82
All-In Sustaining Costs (AgEq Oz excluding non-cash items)
$19.41 - $20.17
Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
AISC is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated based on the Company's consolidated operating performance. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in: underlying accounting principles; the definition of "sustaining costs"; and the distinction between sustaining and expansionary capital costs. See "Non-GAAP Measures" at the end of this news release for further details.
Consolidated AISC includes general and administrative cost estimates and non-cash costs of $2.07 to $2.21 per AgEq ounce.
UPDATED CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN 2025
In 2025, the Company plans to invest approximately $193 million in capital expenditures, including $76 million for sustaining activities and $117 million for expansionary projects. This represents a 7% increase over the original 2025 guidance, primarily driven by higher investments in Property, Plant and Equipment to support increased production forecasts for 2025 and beyond. Key initiatives include upgrades at Santa Elena to gradually increase throughput to 3,500 tpd, ongoing studies and early-stage development at the Navidad discovery, and the acquisition of additional equipment to support higher mining and processing rates at Los Gatos. These investments are fully aligned with the Company's long-term growth strategy.
Capital Guidance for 2025:
Area
Sustaining ($M)
Expansionary ($M)
Total ($M)
Underground Development
$21
$61
$82
Exploration
-
$43
$43
Property, Plant and Equipment
$54
$13
$67
Corporate Projects
$1
-
$1
Total
$76
$117
$193
The updated 2025 annual guidance includes total capital investments of $82 million for underground development; $43 million in exploration; $67 million towards property, plant and equipment; and $1 million towards corporate innovation projects.
Under the updated 2025 budget, the Company is planning to complete a total of approximately 44,000 m of lateral underground development, representing a 24% increase to what was set out in the original guidance. In addition, the Company is now planning to complete a total of approximately 255,000 m of exploration drilling in 2025, representing a 6% decrease compared to the original guidance. The decrease in exploration spend and metres is mostly at Los Gatos reflecting forecasted improved cost per metre guidance as a result of takeover synergies and a program rationalization where the Company will defer drilling in the South East Deep zone to prioritize Central and North West Deep drilling for an overall cost and total metre reduction.
In the first half of 2025, the Company completed 23,100 m of underground development drilling and 128,141 m of exploration drilling.
Management may revise the Company's guidance during the year to reflect actual and anticipated changes in metal prices or to the business. There can be no assurance that cost estimates related to the Company's 2025 guidance will prove to be accurate. For further details regarding risks related to the allocation of capital by the Company, see the section in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form ("AIF") entitled "Risk Factors - Financial Risks - Allocation of Capital - Sustaining and Expansionary Capital".
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) / 11:00 a.m. (ET) to provide investors and analysts with a business update, and to discuss its second quarter production and earnings results and updated 2025 guidance. The Company will issue a further news release closer to the date of the conference call to remind investors of the call details.
To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers:
Canada & USA Toll-Free:
+1-833-752-3407
Outside of Canada & USA:
+1-647-846-2866
Toll-Free Germany:
+49-69-1741-5718
Toll-Free UK:
+44-20-3795-9972
Participants should dial-in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure placement in the conference on time.
A live webcast of the call will be accessible through the "August 14, 2025 Webcast Link" on the First Majestic home page at www.firstmajestic.com. A webcast archive will be available approximately one hour after the end of the event and will be accessible for three months through the same link as the live event.
A recording of the conference call will be available for telephone replay approximately one hour after the end of the event by calling:
USA & Canada Toll-Free:
+1-855-669-9658
Outside of Canada & US:
+1-412-317-0088
Access Code:
1902689
The telephone replay will be available for seven days following the end of the event.
ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC
First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates four producing underground mines in Mexico: the Los Gatos Silver Mine (the Company holds a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture that owns and operates the mine), the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, and the La Encantada Silver Mine, as well as a portfolio of development and exploration assets, including the Jerritt Canyon Gold project located in northeastern Nevada, U.S.A.
First Majestic is proud to own and operate its own minting facility, First Mint, LLC, and to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins and medallions are available for purchase online at http://www.firstmint.com/, at some of the lowest premiums available.
For further information, contact info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll free number 1.866.529.2807.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
"signed"
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release includes reference to certain financial measures which are not standardized measures under the Company's financial reporting framework. These measures include cash costs per attributable silver equivalent ounce produced and AISC per attributable silver equivalent ounce produced. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance but do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies. The data is 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. For a complete description of how the Company calculates such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to GAAP terms please see "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Company's most recent management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward‐looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward‐looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the assumptions used by the Company for its updated 2025 production and cost guidance; statements relating to the Company's capital investments in 2025; the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; commercial mining operations; budgets; the timing and amount of estimated future production, AISC and cash costs; costs and timing of development at the Company's projects; capital projects and exploration activities for 2025 and the possible results thereof; drilling programs in 2025, including potential exploration activities at the Navidad discovery at Santa Elena and the Central and North-West Deep zones at the Los Gatos Silver Mine; and details regarding the Company's investor conference call in August 2025 to discuss its updated production and cost guidance. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward‐looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward‐looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward‐looking statements".
Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of global health crises, such as pandemics, on our operations and workforce, and the effects on global economies and society; general economic conditions including inflation risks; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; social and labour unrest; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation, rules or regulations and the application and enforcement thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‐looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258190
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ZenaTech (ZENA) Strengthens Drone Services with Largest Acquisition, Boosting DaaS Market Presence
ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) ranks among the . On August 7, ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) made its eighth and largest acquisition in the drone services industry by purchasing Cardinal Civil Resources, a land surveying and engineering company located in Virginia. sibsky2016/ The acquisition adds a portfolio of government and commercial clients, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, to ZenaTech's Drone as a Service (DaaS) operations in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The purchase coincides with possible regulatory reforms for the drone sector. A uniform framework for drone operations would take the place of case-by-case waivers under a rule proposed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on August 5 to expand Beyond Visual Line of Sight activities. Vancouver-based IT company ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) specializes in corporate software as a service, drone as a service (DaaS), AI drone systems, and quantum computing. By mid-2026, the company aims to have 25 Drone as a Service locations around the country. While we acknowledge the potential of ZENA to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ZENA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
McCormick expands stake in its Mexican joint venture to 75% in a $750 million deal
(Reuters) -McCormick said on Thursday it will raise its stake in its Mexico joint venture to 75% by acquiring 25% more for $750 million as the condiments maker seeks to expand further in Latin America. Founded in 1947, the joint venture with Mexican food processing company Grupo Herdez has been a dominant player in the condiments and sauces segment of Latin America's second-largest economy. McCormick de Mexico's portfolio consists primarily of mayonnaise, including its flagship McCormick Mayonesa con Jugo de Limones brand. The deal is subject to customary closing and regulatory conditions, McCormick said. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Alamos Gold: A Solid Gold Miner, But A stock Fully Valued.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 1: Introduction: Alamos Gold is one of the safest Canadian mid-cap gold mining companies. As of mid-July 2025, Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI) has a market capitalization of approximately $5.1 billion, placing it solidly in the mid-cap tier of global gold mining companies. Alamos, a gold producer based in Canada with operations essentially in North American jurisdictions, is comparable in size to Eldorado Gold, which I analyzed in my preceding article. With operations mostly concentrated in stable, mining-friendly countries and a disciplined approach to capital allocation, Alamos provides a stronger risk-adjusted profile, making it a safer and more resilient option among its mid-cap peers. Although Alamos differentiates itself through a conservative financial strategy and a relatively low-risk portfolio of mining assets, it is not without its share of drama, which is unavoidable in the precious metals mining industry. Is AGI fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Alamos Gold is facing a significant challenge in Turkiye regarding its Kirazli Gold mine project. In March 2021, Turkiye's Agriculture and Forestry Ministry revoked Alamo's mining license, requiring the company to restart the permitting process from the beginning. The project has been idle since then. In April 2021, Alamos filed a $1 billion investment treaty arbitration against Turkiye, claiming expropriation and unfair treatment under the NetherlandsTurkiye bilateral treaty. Alamos had previously estimated that a full decision could take up to five years from the filing date, placing a rough completion window between 2026 and 2028. The project is currently in the care and maintenance phase, awaiting the court ruling. Alamos Gold operates in North America, with key assets in Canada and Mexico, and is recognized for its strong balance sheet and consistent production, which we will analyze here. Eldorado Gold, on the other hand, has a more geographically diverse portfolio, including assets in Greece and Turkiye, and focuses on high-grade, long-life mines. Eldorado's Skouries gold-copper mine project is crucial to the company's future and is scheduled to commence production in 2026. However, Greek assets haven't performed well and have delivered less than expected (Olympias), while causing more political and technical issues than the company would have liked. While both companies emphasize sustainability, Alamos is perceived as more financially conservative compared to Eldorado, which has a more growth-oriented strategy. This distinction makes me more favorable toward investing in Alamos Gold. Finally, proven and probable reserves are 13.2 million ounces of gold, excluding Kirazli, against 11.9 million ounces of gold for Eldorado Gold's operations For investors assessing Alamos Gold as a potential investment, it is crucial to evaluate the company's operations and strategic positioning. Alamos Gold operates three main producing mines in North America: The Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in Canada and the Mulatos mine in Mexico. Additionally, the company acquired Argonaut Gold and its Magino mine in July 2024, located just 2 km from Island Gold, for $325 million in an all-share transaction. The Magino mill will serve both operations, resulting in an estimated savings of approximately $140 million in capital expenditures. These savings come from eliminating the need for a separate expansion of the Island Gold mill and the associated tailings lift required for Island Gold's growth, which includes a new shaft and deeper underground mining. The Island Gold Phase III expansion is expected to be achieved by early 2026, with an increase in production capacity from 1,200 tons per day (TPD) to 2,400 TPD. The ore from Island Gold will be processed at the Magino Mill, which recorded milling rates of approximately 9,500 TPD during the last two weeks of April (expected to be 12,400 TPD after expansion). The flow of ore to the Magino mill will be further optimized. As a reminder, Alamo Gold experienced technical difficulties at the Magino Mill during the first quarter of 2025, resulting in a significant decrease in throughput and gold production for the quarter. Invest in Gold Thor Metals Group: Best Overall Gold IRA Priority Gold: Up to $15k in Free Silver + Zero Account Fees on Qualifying Purchase American Hartford Gold: #1 Precious Metals Dealer in the Nation Alamos Gold may not be as large as major players like Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) or Barrick Gold (NYSE:B), but it offers a compelling mix of stability and growth potential. The company boasts steady production, a robust financial position, and ongoing expansion projects, including the Lynn Lake Project, which is expected to be completed in 2028. Alamos Gold anticipates a 24% increase in gold production by 2027, aiming for a longer-term production target of approximately 900,000 gold ounces. Note: From the AGI PresentationHowever, like most mid-cap miners, it has a higher risk profile than its larger counterparts due to its limited assets and resources. A single unexpected hiccup could significantly harm the stock. 2: Alamos Gold primarily focuses on gold. However, the company's first-quarter gold production was disappointing. Alamo Gold primarily operates as a gold mining company, with gold sales accounting for approximately 88% of its total revenue in the first quarter of 2025. Gold production was disappointing in 1Q25 due to issues related to the Magino mill, as mentioned earlier. The company produced 125,000 ounces of gold and sold 117,583 ounces of it. If we examine gold production per mine, we notice that the output at Mulatos Mine has decreased by more than half compared to the previous year, and the combined production from Island Gold and Magino mines could not offset this decline. In the first quarter of 2025, the Island Gold District, which includes both Island Gold underground operations and the Magino open?pit mine, produced 59,200 ounces of gold, which fell short of expectations. Alamos Gold's Mulatos mine experienced a decrease in production due to the planned stacking of lower-grade ore at La Yaqui Grande and ongoing residual leaching. This strategic decision was made to optimize long-term recovery, as higher-grade ore is anticipated to increase output in future quarters. However, production at Mulatos is still expected to be between 130,000 and 140,000 ounces in 2025. On the positive side, the company achieved a record gold price for its production sales in 1Q25, and it is expected to be even higher in 2Q25. This increase in pricing helped to compensate for the low production numbers. According to the chart below, Alamos Gold sold a total of 117,583 ounces of gold for $2,802 per ounce, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 35.4%. Alamos Gold reported an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,805 per ounce in 1Q25, which is significantly higher than usual due to several negative factors. These factors include increased costs per ounce at the Young-Davidson and Magino mines, a large share-based compensation charge resulting from a 45% rise in the company's share price, and higher royalties. These issues outweighed the initial benefits gained from optimization efforts. However, the AISC is expected to return to more typical levels in the upcoming quarters. The chart below clearly illustrates these details. 3: Alamos Gold: A Solid Financial Profile despite a weak quarterly gold production. Alamos Gold had a mixed start to 2025, reporting solid financial results despite production falling short of expectations in the first quarter. Thanks to the record realized gold price, the company experienced significant year-over-year revenue growth, which helped offset the lower production levels analyzed earlier. Alamos maintained its profitability and demonstrated disciplined cost management. Despite operational challenges that impacted production, the company remains a resilient and well-capitalized mid-tier gold producer, with a strong pipeline and long-term growth potential. Revenue for 1Q25 was $333 million, an increase of 19.96% year over year. However, net income decreased to $15.2 million from $42.1 million the previous year. Alamos Gold reported $22.1 million in negative free cash flow in the first quarter of 2025, primarily as a result of continuing capital expenditures related to its expansion projects, particularly the Phase III expansion at Island Gold. The $0.025 quarterly dividend that Alamos Gold pays out represents a 0.4% dividend yield. Regarding share buybacks, the company has approved the purchase of up to 18.6 million Class A shares, representing approximately 5% of the total number of shares outstanding, valid until December 23, 2025. No share repurchases have been announced under this buyback program low dividend payment and lack of share buybacks are significant drawbacks for savvy investors, especially considering the very high stock price. For a U.S. investor, the dividend amounts to only 0.3% after foreign taxes are deducted. Despite this temporary production setback, the company ended the quarter with a strong cash balance of $318.7 million and $250 million in debt, showcasing a solid financial position and effective management. Alamos is well-positioned to pursue its high-return projects, supported by its robust balance sheet. This financial strength facilitates the long-term strategy of achieving low-cost production growth and creating value. Alamos Gold maintains a net cash position of $68.7 million. 4: What is my take on the gold price for 2025? The price of gold surged to $3,500.05 per ounce on April 22, 2025, closing slightly lower today at $3,322. This increase reflects significant investor anxiety driven by heightened concerns about inflation, global conflicts (including those in Russia and the Middle East), and widespread de-dollarization, with banks accelerating their gold purchases as a hedge against economic uncertainty. This change arises from a growing lack of confidence in the United States as a dependable and trusted leader. For instance, countries such as Germany, Italy, and others are currently in the process of repatriating their gold holdings from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which shows concern about the safety of their gold held by the US. Additionally, long-term bonds are showing signs of weakness, indicating a lack of trust linked to the monumental U.S. debt, which is expected to increase even further due to the recently passed big beautiful bill and the tariffs war initiated by the Trump administration, which I still struggle to recent historic high price of gold not only indicates a rush to safe-haven assets but also suggests a fundamental revaluation of gold's role in the global financial system. Central bank gold purchases remain robust, while growing skepticism surrounds fiat currencies. With U.S. real interest rates declining and geopolitical risks escalating, gold has established strong support at high levels. Additionally, constraints on supply in mining have further bolstered bullish sentiment. While short-term price pullbacks may occur, the long-term outlook for gold is still compelling. If current macroeconomic and geopolitical trends persist, prices above $3,200 could become the new norm. 5: Technical Analysis: Descending Channel Pattern. Note: Technical Analysis uses StockCharts as a chart background. Alamos Gold is establishing a descending channel pattern, with resistance near $26.80 and support around $24.45. While a descending channel is typically a bearish chart pattern, it can also indicate a potential bullish breakout, particularly as selling pressure begins to wane. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 52 and is gradually decreasing. It is not a red flag just yet, but it could signal further weaknesses and potentially a breakdown with a retest of the 200MA at $ to the uncertainty is the broader backdrop of elevated geopolitical tensions and ambiguity surrounding the Federal Reserve's next interest?rate decision. The recent June CPI release, showing inflation running at 2.7% year?over?year and rising 0.3% month?over?month, only deepens the Fed's dilemma. Whether Jerome Powell chooses to cut rates or hold steady, any surprise in his decision could shift gold prices, and in turn influence AGI's valuation. Markets and Fed officials largely anticipate no rate cuts until fall, with two quarter-point reductions still likely by year-end. However, persistent inflation and trade uncertainties may delay any action, although September and December remain the most probable times for easing. My suggestions I will closely monitor any breakdown below $25 or signs of increasing volume, as this could alter the outlook from cautious optimism to heightened downside risk. With a support level around $24.45, it may be a good time to consider slowly adding to your position, starting at $25, while keeping in mind the possibility of a breakdown to $23.5. AGI is currently fully valued, and a potential retracement seems reasonable unless the gold price receives another may be wise to sell a portion of your shares when the stock price rises between $26.25 and $27. Utilizing the LIFO (Last In, First Out) method to sell part of your position is crucial, especially if the stock demonstrates a false bullish breakout followed by a quick and prolonged retracement. For further details, please refer to the chart important to take partial short-term profits using the LIFO method in today's volatile market, which is becoming very expensive and risky as I speak. Consider allocating about half of your position for short-term trading while maintaining the rest as a long-term investment. Unfortunately, the modest dividends paid by Alamos Gold do not justify keeping a large investment inactive, especially after the significant increase in the stock's value since the beginning of the year. Warning: The technical analysis chart should be updated regularly to ensure accuracy.