Return to Profitability
First quarter 2026 delivered net income of $4.7 million ($0.03 per share), the company's first positive quarterly net income since 2021. This represents an approximate net margin of 10.7% on nearly $44 million in net sales.
Strong Sales, Cash and Gross Profit
Net sales were nearly $44 million for the quarter, generating a mining gross profit of $19 million (approximately a 43.2% mining gross margin). Cash on hand ended the period at $31 million and the company reports a debt-free balance sheet.
Material Improvement in Mining Method & Dilution Reduction
Transition from long-hole to cut-and-fill mining reduced dilution from as high as ~45% under the prior method to approximately 12% (a ~33 percentage-point decrease, roughly a 73% reduction in dilution), delivering higher head grades to the mill.
Focused Investment in Underground Development & Exploration
Q1 investments included approximately $3.8 million in underground development, ~$600,000 in infill drilling and nearly $900,000 in underground exploration development, expanding access to the Three Sisters area and supporting sustainable mine growth.
Alta Gracia Reopening and High Silver Grades
Alta Gracia successfully reopened and began contributing higher head grades. Reported silver grades around 350 g/t (~11 oz/tonne), with Alta Gracia ramp targeting 1,500 tonnes/month currently, 3,000 tonnes/month in Q3 and 5,000 tonnes/month by year-end, increasing mill throughput from ~30,000 to ~35,000 tonnes (monthly context provided on the call).
Environmental and Processing Enhancements Underway
Dry-stack tailings (clear filter press) are on site with installation planned next quarter. A third filter has been purchased and will be installed (Q3) to improve redundancy and steady processing capacity; critical mill spares and flotation tank refurbishments are also being undertaken.
Back Forty Feasibility Study & Permitting Timeline
Definitive feasibility study for the Back Forty project (Upper Peninsula, Michigan) being led by SLR is expected to be completed in Q1 2027, followed by permit applications and planned construction commencement upon permit receipt.
Proposed Combination with Gold Group to Scale Production
Proposed reverse triangular merger with Gold Group Mining Inc. to create a larger company with a pro forma production run rate of greater than 100,000 gold-equivalent ounces within 12 months. Planned aggressive drilling program of 50,000+ meters (management later described a ~70,000-meter program split ~50,000m exploration + ~20,000m definition at Don David) and pro forma asset diversification (Don David, Back Forty feasibility-stage, Cerro Prieto, San Francisco).