Sierra Metals Inc. (SMTS) Q2 2018 Earnings Conference Call Transcript
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Sierra Metals Inc. (AMEX:SMTS)
Q2 2018 Earnings Conference Call
Aug. 14, 2018 10:30 a.m. ET
Contents:
Prepared Remarks
Questions and Answers
Call Participants
Prepared Remarks:
Operator
Good morning. My name is Matthew, and I'll be your conference operator today. At this time, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Sierra Metals Inc. second-quarter 2018 financial results.
[Operator instructions] Mike McAllister, vice president of corporate development, you may begin your conference.
Mike McAllister -- Vice President of Corporate Development
Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to Sierra's second-quarter 2018 results conference call. On today's call, we are joined by Igor Gonzales, our president and CEO; Ed Guimaraes, our chief financial officer; and Gordon Babcock, our chief operating officer. Today's call will be followed by a question-and-answer period.
Today's presentation is available for download both through the webcast and from the company's website at www.sierrametals.com. Monday's press release, the financial statements and the management's discussion and analysis are posted on the company's website. Before I turn the call over to Igor, I would like to indicate that this earnings call contains forward-looking information that is based on the company's current expectations, estimates, and beliefs. The forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors.
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Actual results could differ materially from our conclusions, forecasts or projections as result -- as reflected in the forward-looking information. Additional information about the material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the conclusion, forecast or projection in the forward-looking information and the material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection as reflected in the forward-looking information is contained in the company's Annual Information Form, which is publicly available on SEDAR or EDGAR via the 40-F form or on the company's website. Please note, all dollar amounts mentioned in today's call are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
With that, I would now like to turn the call over to Igor Gonzales, president and CEO, Sierra Metals.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Thank you, Mike. Good morning, everyone Q2 2018 represented a very strong quarter for Sierra Metals as we continue to build upon the solid first-quarter results. We are continuing to realize good returns on the capital employed and on operational improvement efforts, especially in our Mexican operations. These improvements have generated improved financial performance, with record adjusted EBITDA growth, strengthening our asset base and continued increases to our mineral reserves and resources at each of our mines.
With the conclusion of Preliminary Economic Assessment of each mine have also demonstrated expansion plans with positive economics. Our management team are very encouraged with the continued progress and the strength in the achievements seen in the second quarter and the first half of 2018. We continue to be optimistic that 2018 will be a strong year of operational and financial performance at Yauricocha in Peru and for our Mexican operations. Following my summary highlights, Gordon Babcock will take us through the operational highlights, and then Ed Guimaraes will take us through the 2018 second-quarter financial highlights, and then we will open the call to questions.
Turning to Slide No. 4. The company remains focused on improving operating and financial performance in 2018. The second quarter built on the momentum from the first quarter 2018 and previous quarters, with improvements in revenue, adjusted EBITDA, operating cash flow before movements in working capital, and throughput.
The company achieved notable improvements year over year, with a 29% increase in revenues to $62.7 million, a 64% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $28.9 million, which is a record for the company, and a 70% increase to the operating cash flows before movement in working capital of $29.5 million. We continue to maintain a strong liquidity, with $21.8 million in cash and cash-equivalents and $15 million in available credit facilities. On Slide No. 5.
During the second quarter of 2018, the company processed 602,000 tons, which represents a 32% increase over Q2 2017 and an 8% increase over Q1 2018. Sierra Metals achieved record quarterly throughput, both from the Yauricocha and Bolivar mines, continuing the successful production increases realized during Q1 2018. Sierra's consolidated production of copper increased 62%, silver increased 12%, zinc increased 10%, gold increased 38%, and lead decreased 16% as compared to Q2 2017. On Slide No.
6. The company continues to see positive gains and momentum from the progress of the operational turnaround program implemented in Mexico. Bolivar realized a 41% increase in throughput, with a 45% increase in copper equivalent production. And Cusi realized a 95% increase in throughput, with a 46% increase in silver equivalent production in Q2 2018 compared to Q2 2017.
We continue to modernize operations, improving production and lowering costs, with further benefits expected to continue in Q3 and beyond. Improvements include new mining equipment purchases, which allow more minable stopes to be incorporated in the mine plan at Bolivar, a change in focus from existing narrow-vein structures to the Santa Rosa de Lima Zone, which has larger widths and higher grades. In addition to our recently delineated high-grade silver area within the structure of Santa Rosa de Lima as well as continued with a successful improvements made to the metallurgical recoveries at both mines. Turning now to Slide No.
7. I would like to bring to your attention the three recently completed preliminary economic assessments for each of our three mines, which we believe demonstrates the value opportunity that Sierra Metals represents. The Yauricocha PEA determined a 66% output expansion from the current 3,000 tons per day capacity to 3,600-tons per day in Q1 2019 to a potential 5,500 tons per day in 2021. The report demonstrated a net present value of USD 393 million using an 8% discount with a return on investment of 486%.
The estimated life is 10 years, but it is expected to grow with subsequent drilling completed in late 2017 and 2018, which will be included in an upcoming 43-101 reserve and resource update in addition to future drilling programs. The Bolivar PEA examined a 67% output expansion from the current 3,100 tons per day capacity to 3,600 tons per day in Q1 2019 to a potential 5,000 tons per day in 2020. The report demonstrated a net present value of USD 214 million using an 8% discount with a return on investment of 550%. The estimated mine life is 11 years.
But again, it's expected to grow with subsequent drilling completed in late 2017 and in 2018, which will be included in the next 43-101 reserve and resource update in addition to feature drilling programs. The Cusi PEA examined a 315% output expansion, from the current 650 tons per day to 1,200 tons per day in Q1 2019 to a potential 2,700 tons per day in 2021. The report demonstrated a net present value of USD 92 million using that 8% discount, with an internal rate of return of 75%. The estimated mine life is nine years, but it's also expected to grow with subsequent drilling completed in late 2017 and 2018, which will be included in an upcoming 43-101 reserve and resource update in addition to future drilling programs.
Slide No. 8. In 2018, the company has continued with its aggressive brownfield exploration program and definition drilling programs at all three mines. We have targeted approximately 71,000 meters of brownfield exploration this year, with the ability to ramp up drilling further with success in any of the zones.
Management expects that the company will continue to provide further extensions to existing zones such as Esperanza and Cuye-Mascota at the Yauricocha Mine; Bolivar West and Bolivar Northwest and Cieneguita at the Bolivar Mine; and San Nicolas and Santa Rosa de Lima at the Cusi Mine. Additionally, our technical teams have been reinforced to meet the upcoming challenges of putting our recent brownfield exploration success into the production schedule in the near future. With that, I will now turn the call over to Gordon Babcock, our chief operating officer, for the operations and exploration update.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Thanks, Igor. Good morning, everyone. Please turn to Slide No. 9.
The operational highlights I have noted on Slide No. 9. The second quarter of 2018, Sierra processed a total of 602,087 tons, which represented a 32% increase year over year compared to Q2 2017. The company achieved record quarterly throughput from both the Yauricocha and Bolivar mines, which is a continuation of the production increases and our improvement plans that we've incorporated.
In the second quarter of 2018, consolidated production of copper increased 62% to 8.6 million pounds, silver increased 4% to 27 million ounces, zinc increased 10% to 20.3 million pounds, lead decreased 16% to 7.1 million pounds, and gold increased 38% to 1,814 ounces as compared to Q2 2017. The Yauricocha Mine achieved consecutive record quarterly ore throughput during Q2 2018. Zinc-equivalent metal production increased 9% due to higher ore throughput, higher copper and gold head grades, higher copper, lead, and gold recoveries, also zinc head grades. Bolivar also saw a record order throughput in the first quarter and realized a 41% increase in production as the company gained momentum from the progress of the operational turnaround program in Mexico.
Higher ore throughput, copper and silver head grades, copper and gold recoveries resulted in the 45% increase in copper equivalent production in Q2 2018 as compared to Q2 2017. At Cusi, total ore processed increased 95% as compared to Q2 2017 and increased 73% as compared to Q1 2018. Silver production of 272,000 ounces increased 46% compared to Q2 2017. The company continues to focus and develop higher-grade lighter-weight Santa Rosa de Lima Zones, as well as targeting things such -- other zones such as San Nicolas and Promontorio and continues to ramp up production from this area while selectively mining structures in the older part of the mine as I just mentioned.
We are pleased to report that the existing mill reached its throughput capacity of 650 tons per day during the second quarter of 2018. Please turn to Slide No. 10. This details the outlook for the remainder of 2018.
Having completed the PEA studies for all three mines, we are now working on feasibility studies with the intent of production optimization at all sites and to finalize future operational production increases. In addition to these work programs, the company will also focus on including reviews of plant optimization strategies, mine shaft and ramp and infrastructure improvements and review of processing plant efficiencies. At the Yauricocha Mine, the final infrastructure for the Yauricocha tunnel will be completed in the third quarter of this year and commissioning will take place in the end of Q4. There are some detail work that has to occur on surface.
The infrastructure to tie into the existing mill facility, as well as the existing Klepetko tunnel, roadways and some work to improve the whole structure that had to take place by the end of Q4. This will enable the mine to have a direct run to the plants, which will result in a faster turnaround and cycle time of the trolley locomotives. We'll be running five 20-tonne locos to do our ore and waste movement in the mine. In the long run, this will give us the capacity to handle larger volumes of waste and ore.
This tunnel will also provide another ventilation inlet to the mine and it will be a huge benefit to the ventilation system we have currently in place. The tunnel should be fully operational in the earlier part of Q4 2018 toward the end. There's another program that we're working on right now. It's called the Mascota maintenance program.
In Q4, we're going to be working on the shaft of Mascota from the 970 to 1070 levels. We have some timbers to replace. We have some cleaning jobs to do. We've accessed the bottom of the Mascota shaft with a tunnel from the 1170 level.
So we have everything in place, and that's going to start beginning in Q4. So we will see a drop in production during that time. We won't be doing the same amounts. Turning now, please, to Slide 11.
Work continues to progress at the Yauricocha Mine, with the sinking of the Yauricocha shaft at 1270 level. Plan is to cut the loading pocket below the 1170 working level. This pocket will handle waste and ore from two streams in a multi-feed, three raise configuration: will handle waste, will hander ore and will handle whether ore with humidity. Three low points will be excavated on the 1170 level, each having grizzly cover and independent discharge points for locomotive track haulage and trackless haulage equipment.
Our mobile rock breaker will handle any oversized muck encountered in the grizzly platforms, and the company estimates that this facility will be completely operational in 2020. Company's emphasis at Yauricocha will continue in the production of high-value ore, including an estimated 450,000 tons of feed coming from the Esperanza zone during 2018. This effort is expected to continue to improve to seven years. OK.
This is going to be -- expect to improve the company's operating margins and cash flow generation and are recently improved by historically softer metals price environment. Turning to Bolivar, the installation of a new refurbished mill at Bolivar will provide the company with flexibility in terms of grind size and tonnage. The company has reached its throughput rate of 3,100 tons per day at Bolivar during the second quarter and expects to grow that to 3,500 tons per day in the second-half 2018. We have made huge improvement in the Bolivar tailings management system.
We're using a process using a little bit of creativity in handling the slurry tails. We're using sales or ponds to watering the slurry, then accessing the deposition of the dewater tails similar to a dry stack. So this is working quite well. We're controlling a great deal of production in this fashion.
At Cusi, improvements are also planned in 2018 with the installation of another new refurbished mill, eight by 14, which will be installed to allow production to climb to 1,200 tons per day starting in January 2019. Components of the new refurbished mills have arrived at the Bolivar and Cusi Mine sites. And we have begun the assembly and installation of these additional mills and expect to see completion by year end. Important to mention here, in Cusi, we have the presence of a stockwork system, which is open at depth and width and in length.
This offers us the opportunity to increase production to give us a single source to the plants, and that will give us some really positive opportunities here. We also have a dewatering decanter on-site at the Mal Paso plant, and that is in play to give us another opportunity in tailings management. In other words, we won't be depositing slurry. We'll be depositing semi-based type material, close to a dry stack.
Please turn to Slide 12. Exploration has been and continues to be a very important part of the company's growth strategy, and we have committed significant resources and capital to grow the mineral reserve and resources. In 2017, Sierra drilled 83,000 meters across all three mines. And the investment, as we know, is well spent.
Mineral reserves for Yauricocha increased 134%, and mine life more than doubled. We also saw significant increases in contained metal. At Bolivar, mineral resources -- or reserves, pardon me, increased 83%, and the mine life went from four years to seven years. Also at Cusi, the company increased mineral resources by 129% from the previous report.
Company highlighted several new discoveries in addition to extending the current mineralized zones, which speaks to the brownfield exploration potential at all three assets. In 2018, the company plans to drill over 71,000 meters across all three properties, which have already led to the discoveries of new zones, such as the Contacto Oriental, Contacto Sur Medio, an extension of Cuye-Mascota at depth at the Yauricocha mine. At Bolivar, drilling has identified an extension to the part of the Bolivar West zone, and that's named Cieneguita due its proximity to the town of Cieneguita. At Cusi, the drilling has identified a 40-meter wide high-grade silver stockwork within the Santa Rosa de Lima zone, which is what I just referred to previously.
Subsequent drilling has extended the width of that zone to 50 meters, and the zone remains open at depth and along strike. Going forward, exploration will remain the key aspect of our growth plan at all three mines. During Q2 2018, company drilled 45 holes totaling 8,366 meters at Yauricocha. Exploration drilling included 33 holes, 4,013 meters at various zones, including Contacto Oriental, Contacto Sur Medio Oeste, Esperanza-Cuye and Escondida Norte, to explore continuity and verify potential mineralization.
Definition drilling comprised of 52 holes, 3,440 meters, at Antacaca, Esperanza, Catas in the Central Mine zone; Butz and Mascota, to define and determine the continuity of the ore zones. During Q2 2018, surface exploration was continued in the southern end of the Central Mine zone, mainly in the areas of Chonta Fault three and in -- where a diamond drilling program will be carried out. A highlight in here, we're in the process right now. The drill sites are prepared.
We have two small shops where we have discussions with the community. So we expect to be drilling in four weeks in that zone. At Bolivar, the company drilled 7,403 meters at El Gallo and within the Bolivar Northwest, Bolivar West and Cieneguita zones. At Cusi, the company drilled 11,376 meters to verify the continuity of the ore bodies and support development work on the various vein systems.
We are currently waiting at the results from recent drilling and are modeling the zones. We expect to be in a position to press release further results in Q3 2018, which are expected to further define the current ore bodies and highlight further mineralization potential. With that, now I'll turn the call over to Ed Guimaraes, our CFO, for a financial update.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Gordon, and good morning, everyone. Turning now to Slide 13, the company had its fourth consecutive quarter of higher revenues and adjusted EBITDA compared to previous quarters, aided by stable metal prices, record throughput at the Yauricocha and Bolivar mines and improving production at the Cusi mine. The company has continued to be successful in maintaining positive cash flow generation from its existing operations in order to reduce debt levels, fund required capital expenditures and maintain liquidity. The company remains focused on capitalizing on the successful drilling campaigns executed during 2017 and continuing in 2018, which resulted in significant increases to the reserves and resources at the Yauricocha, Bolivar and Cusi mines.
Continued production growth is expected to be realized from the strategic allocation of operating cash flows toward growth-efficient capital in order to provide the infrastructure and scoping studies necessary to monetize the reserve and resource increases as quickly as possible. During Q2 2018, the company earned revenues of $62.7 million, which was $14.1 million higher than Q2 2017, as well as adjusted EBITDA of $28.9 million and operating cash flows before movements in working capital of $29.6 million. During the second quarter, the company maintained the significant improvements in revenue and adjusted EBITDA realized during the previous quarters. The all-in sustaining costs during Q2 2018 trended lower than the previous quarters as consolidated throughput and metal production increased.
In the second quarter of 2018, the company earned net income of $10.8 million, compared to a net loss of $2.8 million in Q2 2017, or $0.07 per share, both on a basic and diluted basis, compared to a negative $0.02 per share in Q2 2017. A large component of the net income for every period is the non-cash depletion charge in Peru, which was $2.8 million for Q2 2018, compared to $9.7 million in Q2 2017. The non-cash depletion charge is based on the aggregate fair value of the Yauricocha mineral property at the date of acquisition of Corona of $371 million amortized over the total proven and probable reserves of the mine. The decrease in the non-cash depletion charge in Q2 2018 was due to the 134% increase in proven and probable reserves reported in the company's NI 43-101 Technical Report issued on October 26, 2017.
Higher revenues are primarily attributable to the 19% increase in throughput, the increase in copper and gold head grades and higher recoveries for copper, lead, and gold at Yauricocha and the increase in the prices of copper of 21%. Zinc prices increased 15%, lead prices 10%, and gold 2% in Q2 of 2018 compared to Q2 2017. The 41% increase in throughput, higher copper and silver head grades, copper and gold recoveries, and the higher copper price resulted in Bolivar's revenues being 61% higher than Q2 2017. And the 95% increase in throughput and higher silver recoveries resulted in Cusi's revenue being 102% higher than Q2 2017.
Record quarterly adjusted EBITDA of $28.9 million increased 64% compared to $17.6 million in Q2 2017. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the $14.1 million increase in revenues. Cash flow generated from operations before movements in working capital of $29.5 million increased 70% when compared to $17.4 million in Q2 2017. The increase in operating cash flow is mainly the result of higher revenues generated and higher gross margins realized.
I would now like to review our cash flows in more detail. I have summarized the changes in cash during Q2 of 2018 on Slide 14. During the second quarter of 2018, our operating cash flows before movements in working capital were $29.5 million. We had negative working capital adjustments of $8 million, paid $6.1 million in taxes in Peru, spent $14.2 million on capital expenditures in Peru and Mexico, and paid $4.1 million in principal repayments and interests on our credit facilities in Peru and Mexico, as well as paying dividends to non-controlling shareholders of $0.6 million.
These items decreased our cash balance from $25.5 million as of March 31, 2018, to $21.8 million as of June 30, 2018. Along with the strong operational results realized during the quarter, the company's strong cash flow generation allows the company to be self-sufficient and fund its brownfield exploration and capital projects as well as reduce debt levels. During Q2 2018, the company spent $4.1 million on sustaining capital expenditures, mostly consisting of purchases of equipment and concentrator plant improvements, and $10.1 million on growth capital expenditures, consisting mainly of $2.1 million of brownfield exploration drilling, $3.3 million of mine development, $1.5 million of plant enhancements to increase throughput, and $2.1 million on the Yauricocha shaft and tunnel projects. The company's focus for 2018 remains on allocating operating cash flows toward efficient growth capital to provide funding for the significant capital expenditures planned in 2018, as well as mine development, plant improvements, infrastructure work on mineshafts and tunnels, as well as the recently completed PEAs and feasibility studies under way, which are necessary to monetize the recent reserve and resource increases as quickly as possible.
Management will continue to review metal prices and retains the option to adjust the capital expenditures should metal prices experience any dramatic changes within the year. The company has principal payment obligations on its loans and credit facilities of approximately $12.5 million to be paid in 2018, $22.5 million to be paid in 2019, and $27 million to be paid in 2020. The company expects to be able to continue to fund its short-term capital and debt commitments through the generation of operating cash flow. With that, I will now turn the call back to Mike.
Mike McAllister -- Vice President of Corporate Development
Thanks, Ed. That ends the presentation portion of this call. We would now like to open the call to questions from participants. Operator, can you please open the lines?
Questions and Answers:
Operator
Thank you. [Operator instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Jake Sekelsky with Roth Capital Partners. Your line is open.
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Good morning.
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
Starting off at Cusi, how much material is coming from Santa Rosa right now? Should we expect the rate to gradually trend higher throughout 2019 and into 2020?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Right now the predominant -- thanks for the question, Jake. Right now the predominant feed is coming from Santa Rosa de Lima. We have the areas that we're developing in the stockwork zone, as well as some areas to the south, which are higher grade and some of the areas to the north. That's the target, yes.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
To complement the response from Gordon, we are also finalizing the improvement of the ramp to Santa Rosa de Lima. We're widening the ramp. And this has allowed us to bring larger trucks to mobilize the ore and the waste.
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
Got it, OK. And assuming the second ball mill will rise on the second half of this year, is it fair safe to assume will be at 1,200 tons a day, call it, by midyear next year?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Yes. Yes. That's correct.
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
OK, perfect. And then just lastly, on exploration, what's the budget for the remainder of the year? And if you could just break it down between the three mines that would be helpful.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Hi, Jake, thanks for your question -- go ahead.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
No, no, go ahead, Ed. That's fine.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
[Inaudible]
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Jake -- did you get that response, Jake?
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
I didn't. It cut out.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
OK. Go ahead then, Gordon.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
The budget to date -- the estimated runs can be close to $6 million.
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
OK. Do you break it down between the three mines or no?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
I would say -- I would split it fairly evenly between the three mines, roughly $2 million at each one.
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
OK. Perfect. Thanks and I'll hop back in the queue.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Lee Cooperman with Omega Advisors. Your line is open.
Lee Cooperman -- Omega Advisors -- Analyst
Thank you. Let me first, before I ask my questions, compliment the entire management team for the job they are doing, and particularly, for the high-quality financial information you disclose for a company of that size. And now let me ask the question. It's probably hard to understand how Sierra [Inaudible] fails to ask you about the company about the deadline with the Arias fund [Inaudible] who asked for an extension.
We're talking about somebody who controls 52% of the company. So the question we should be asking and I'm asking is, are you guys going to distribute -- and it's Arias, not you. But you should know the answer. We're sitting here in the middle of August, we're talking five, six weeks away.
As the -- Arias can ask its fund investors for the extension or is it going to distribute? And if it distributes, how is it going to distribute? Common sense tells me with the net present value of USD 428 million and the stock price at $2.54, that distribution would make sense because you'll give up the control of premium. So the choice to me would be either sell the company at private market value if there's a buyer or ask for an extension to give yourself time to develop, say, the Yauricocha mine facility, which might be an elephant, given all the stuff you disclosed. But I think it's relevant that you guys should give us some insight into what is likely to happen in October. Thank you and hope you could help.
Again, congratulations and your performance is excellent.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
OK. This is Igor, and I will ask also Ed to participate right after. What we're doing, as operators, we presented a strategy to our board last year. And we're well into the execution of business strategy and we have continued to do that.
As a matter of fact, next month, we have a strategy review session to update ourselves on what have we completed on the strategy, which is what you guys been getting all along throughout our press releases, throughout our 43-101s, throughout our PEAs, etc. Regarding the ARC fund, we don't know and we cannot answer, unfortunately, what they're going to do. I mean, they are a shareholder for Sierra, but we don't control their activities. So we cannot comment on what they will be doing in six weeks.
Ed, you want to comment also?
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Igor. No, just to add that the company and its shareholders, we're completely aligned in terms of maximizing shareholder value. And any decision that the ARC fund ultimately takes is not impacting our day-to-day decisions and in running our minds and pursuing shareholder -- optimizing our assets as best as we can.
Lee Cooperman -- Omega Advisors -- Analyst
I have no question about that. But I think with this event six weeks away, the management -- you'd like to know who you're going to be working for, you know? And I would like to know, since I'm the buyer in the market, do I want to buy in front of the possibility of distributing 52% to the equity. So I think, we're close enough to the event, where Alberto should feel obligated to inform you guys of what his plans are. That's all.
But I don't want to beat a dead horse, but that's kind of my view. But thank you, and again, you're doing a very fine job in running the company, which is most important.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Thank you.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thank you.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Mark Reichman with Noble Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Good morning. I'd also like to commend the management on the strong results and the solid execution of this plan. I'm looking at Page 37 of your corporate presentation, the breakdown of the capex guidance, and I kind of use that as a scorecard. And so what I'm showing is on sustaining capex, you've spent about $7.1 million of your $13.1 million budget.
The exploration, I think, you've spent about $5.7 million of the $9.2 million. Where I'm a little less clear is progress to date on the bottom, by mine, the exploration drilling. So could you just -- of that by mine, the total is up 71,250 meters. Could you just let us know kind of how many meters have been drilled in the first half? That would be helpful.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Ed, do you want to comment on capex? And then Gordon will comment on the...
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Well, let's -- yes, I mean, if you can just confirm those numbers, that would be fine. But just on that last line, on exploration drilling. So for example, Yauricocha, you're planning to drill 33,500 meters. Just looking at your first- and second-quarter conference call presentations, I get about 15,285 meters.
But I'm not sure that's correct. So if you could just kind of walk through the meters drilled to date in the first half by mine, that would be really helpful.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes. And that was touched on already, Mark, by Gord, I believe. Or it might have been...
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Yes, OK. Well, can we go through it one more time?
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Sure. I'll actually -- so in – so we -- in Q2...
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Well, the problem -- yes. The reason I was asking is I was a little confused because looking at the first- and second-quarter conference call slides, I was getting like 13,684 from Bolivar. And I know that's not the case, so that had to include something else.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes. At Bolivar, we did about 7,400 meters in Q2. So I don't think it's quite that high. But we're...
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Well, see -- right. The first quarter showed 6,281 and the second quarter showed 7,403 but your budget is 10,000. So that can't be right. So I was just wanting to clarify those numbers.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Well, that's -- it's not right. We just allocated a little bit more over -- more than budget to Bolivar. I think, in total, we're going to be coming in around that 71,000-meter mark. But again, it's tough to really -- a budget is still something that we retain the right to modify.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Yes. So what you're telling me is that 13,684 is correct. So you've just gone a little over the 10,000. And that -- so you're a little over -- you're a little under the halfway mark at Yauricocha, and you're probably, what, about two-thirds there on Cusi.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Yes.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
And so -- OK. Well, that's helpful. That's why I wanted to clarify it. In terms of the exploration dollars per meter, when you look out kind of your '18 to '22 plans on the 330,000 what are you kind of seeing in your dollars per meter costs? Or I mean, are you seeing some escalation there? Or when you kind of look out, kind of what are your expectations?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Right now, what we're seeing on the exploration front, we've managed to do some more negotiations with our contract drilling services here in Peru, as well as in Mexico. Our rates have actually gone down. The deep wells are expensive as you probably can gather. Also, I wanted to add a little more concerning the drilling.
In the case of Bolivar, the reason there's a delta change in the drilling meters is because we discovered the Cieneguita zone. So one hole drilled in the Cieneguita came back with good copper results so we drilled more holes. The whole concept here is to take us from where we are in the resource base to reserve. So we're trying to up our definition program and take advantage of that fact.
So that's why that delta is there. We have that right by the board so we maximize it whenever we can.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
But still -- and so like, even on your exploration budget, you spent $1.1 million of your budget at $1.2 million, yet you've gone over in terms of the meters. So in other words, your costs per meter have been a little lower than expected at Bolivar.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Yes. That's right. That's right.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Gotcha, OK. And I just wanted to pivot back to the Cusi mine PEA. I think I've discussed this with -- before, and I just want to kind of better understand it. So the plans call for increasing the throughput capacity at the Mal Paso mill to 1,200 tons per day in '19, and then to put in a new 1,500 tons per day processing plant that would begin in mid-2021 and you'd run those in tandem.
And I think currently, the Mal Paso plant has about one and a half years of storage so it doesn't quite get you to the point where you've got that new waste site, so to speak, that comes with the proposed plan. But as I recall, I mean, there's a lot of savings, and that new plant is scalable. So I just wanted to revisit the rationale in terms of why not size that new plant at a much -- at a higher level, say, 3,000 tons per day and just phase out Mal Paso?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
That's the long-term plan. The idea is in this next round of feasibility studies, we're going to look at those options. So in the case of Cusi, in the case of the Mal Paso plant, we do have some upside potential for more storage. So there are opportunities.
There's just four sites there that we can choose from. And we can add to it right now. So the idea was we get to 1,200 tons and we construct new plants, again, after our feasibility run. And then the idea is that plant -- we have access to a mill that could certainly give us our 3,000 tons per day milling capacity.
So we've got some optionality here.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
The design for the new mill is a -- so far, is a 1,500-tonne per day modular mill. And we have allowed space for a second module. And as Gordon says, when -- if we build a second module, of course, economics have to make sense, which we think they will. And then at that point, we'll build a second module right next to the first module and then we'll shut down the Mal Paso mill at that point.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
OK. And then, for the Mal Paso facility, it's going back to the existing tailings facility that had one and a half years of storage capacity based on a 1,200 tons per day. I think there was a mention that prior to – since you were kind of contemplating a new site that would accommodate like 5.4 million tons of waste ore. But I think you'd identified like four additional storage sites that could offer varying levels of storage capacity.
Are those -- have those been kind of confirmed? I mean, do you feel pretty comfortable with the tailings facilities in terms of when you're operating in that period between to extend that one and a half years until you get the new site up and running?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Yes. Yes, we do. Remember, we're in the process right now of doing test work with the decanters. So it's just a need to dewatering these.
So when we do that, we're going to be -- the idea is to deposit semi-dry tails, and we'll use that with a dry stack facility. So that's the concept. So then we're not going to be concerning ourselves with slurries and handling slurries and so forth.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Yes. In more general terms, what we've done with the tailings both at Bolivar and Cusi, is we hired engineering firms to do a short-term plan, which we're executing, and a mid- and long-term plan, which are now under study. That's why Gordon mentioned that in Cusi and at Mal Paso, we have three or four options. We are also looking at a new tailing facility on-site for the 1,500 tons-per-day module.
So -- and in Bolivar, there is also a study going on for a new site for additional tailings for the expansion so all that is being engineered as we speak.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Another further comment is both sites are going to requiring a future fill. So the other concept would be backfill, possibly a piece backfill going into Cusi, as well as Bolivar. So those options are also out there as well. That's part of our whole program in the feasibility run.
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
That's very helpful information. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Heiko Ihle with H.C. Wainwright. Your line is open.
Matt Barry -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst
Hey, guys. Congrats on the quarter. This is Matt Barry here for Heiko. Unfortunately, he's on a flight and couldn't call in himself.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Hey, Matt.
Matt Barry -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst
We noticed your trade and other receivables have continued to increase. They're about $35 million right now, compared to about $28 million at year-end and $29 million at the end of the first quarter. Any ideas what we can attribute this to? Sluggish metal prices or some other factors? And as for the MD&A, only some of that is attributable to the obvious factor, which are the Mexican value-added tax receivables that went from about $4 million to about $6 million.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Hey, Matt. It's Ed. Thanks for your question. So that higher receivable balance is largely attributable to the higher-than-normal zinc concentrate shipments that were done pretty much at year end.
There are two big shipments done on June 28th and on June 30th, where no amounts of -- we weren't paid for any of that. And it's really timing. We can't really control when the plant will have the concentrates ready to be loaded onto trucks and shipped. And it just so happened to be the case, that a large amount of this physical concentrate we shipped at the end of the quarter.
So -- and now we consequently -- yes, and that was all received within two weeks, pretty much. So by July 15, we had that receivable coming way down.
Matt Barry -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst
Perfect, perfect. And then I believe you guys touched on this briefly earlier, about the second ball mill at Cusi. When exactly does it get to site? And as far as we know, it's been ordered, recorded in pricing as loss, correct?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
OK. The -- I'll answer that, Matt. Gord here. The second ball mill is in Cusi now.
It's mounted -- it's pretty much ready to go. It's on an infrastructure, a structural -- steel infrastructure. We're in the process now of preparing the concrete pad. And the way we go, we should be -- it should be in place by the end of the year.
We should be -- that should be in place and ready to go.
Matt Barry -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst
Perfect. Thanks a lot, guys. Congrats again on the quarter.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Thanks, Matt.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Thank you.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Matt.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Chris LaFemina with Jefferies. Your line is open.
Chris LaFemina -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the call, guys. And to echo a comment from earlier, I would definitely agree that we appreciate the level of transparency in your financials. It makes it very easy to model and very easy to understand.
Just a couple of questions. You guys beat my expectations on -- at all three of your mining operations in the quarter pretty significantly and you've given us really good guidance around how those operations should progress. I'm wondering about the corporate costs, do we -- should we expect corporate costs to rise as well as production ramps up from your operations? Or is there any reason why the corporate and just SG&A costs would potentially go down over time? And the second question I have is kind of a bit longer term. Conceptually, you guys obviously have significant expansion potential at Yauricocha, at Cusi, even at Bolivar, and over various time horizons.
I'm wondering what Sierra could look like in your mind in, I suppose, 2021, 2022, if you're able to deliver this growth? And in line with the way unit costs likely will go, what sort of EBITDA do you think you guys could generate on an annualized basis? I don't know if you've done the math on this, but if you assume kind of where prices were in the last quarter, where prices are on spot, what sort of annualized EBITDA run rate we would be looking at for your company in three years' or four years' time? Because obviously, the investment case here depends a lot on the growth. And the market is not valuing your stock and what you look like today, but once the value -- will look like in three years' or four years' time, it will be helpful to have just some insight as to what you think it could look like. I know the 43-101s have some of those details as well, but just wanted to kind of hear it from you guys, how you think you'll look in a few years' time. Thank you.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Chris, for -- yes. Thanks for your questions. In terms of G&A. I think G&A should -- we'd expect G&A to come down a little bit.
There has been some additional cost over the last couple of years in terms of -- last year, for instance, taking the company dual-listed into the New York Stock Exchange American. Also, the ATM that we worked on. We also did a spinout of Cautivo, which was our -- some of the northern exploration properties we had in Peru. As well as bringing on -- just supplementing our staff to handle the more of the technical aspects of the scoping studies and planning.
So I -- again, that -- it's -- I'd expect the cost not to increase unless there is a significant event that would cause it to increase. If that's -- so it's a little bit of sucking and blowing, but I don't foresee anything that would drive G&A costs higher. But again, it all speaks to scale of the operations and the staffing requirements and consultants used. So that's the first point.
In terms of EBITDA, I'd -- the company policy really isn't to forecast out or provide guidance to EBITDA. But I think you can do the math, just looking at the throughput expansions and using a consistent metal price scenario and the fact that your costs should, overall, should decline with these additional throughputs. I think you can get to an EBITDA number that's -- look, I'll leave it to you. But it's much higher than where we are today, that's for sure.
Chris LaFemina -- Jefferies -- Analyst
It looks like it could be more than double your current run rate, assuming commodity prices stay where they are. So if you could deliver that growth, your shares are clearly not priced correctly.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Right, right. That's a fair comment. Yes.
Chris LaFemina -- Jefferies -- Analyst
All right. Well, thank you for that.
Operator
[Operator instructions] Our next question comes from the line of Jim Young with West Family Investments. Your line is open.
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
Yes, hi. A couple of questions. First is a follow-up to Chris' question regarding your EBITDA. Can you -- I recognize forecast the EBITDA or give guidance, but can you give us a sense regarding the EBITDA margins? So for example, you did a great job of increasing EBITDA at the corporate level from -- by 170 basis points from the first quarter to the second quarter at 46.1%.
But Yauricocha EBITDA was 52.5%. So when I think about the different operations, the different mines at Yauricocha, Bolivar and Cusi, can you give us a sense as to the -- as the operation is growing scale, our EBITDA should -- a more normalized EBITDA for the whole company be at the Yauricocha level, which obviously, will increase over time. But I'm just wondering if you can give us a feel for -- directionally, where the EBITDA margin should or could go. Thank you.
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Hi, Jim, it's Ed. Thanks for your question. And yes, you're right that Yauricocha's EBITDA was about 52%. And I believe, overall, for Cusi and Bolivar, that's kind of in the 40s.
I don't think it's a stretch to say that the company, at all three levels, can't be at the 50% EBITDA level. And I'll leave it at that.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
I'd like to complement that, Jim, with -- the reason we're moving quickly with the feasibility studies and our life of mine estimates and calculations is that that will help us to define the operating costs at all levels and the capital costs. And then at that point, we'll be in a position to estimate the financials, to make a reasonable estimate in our financials. So I think we're halfway there. We've done the PEA, but I think in the feasibility studies were going to narrow the options and we're going to be more precise in defining operating costs -- capital costs for all of our units.
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
OK. Thank you. And then the second question is for Gord. Gord, can you help us understand the size and significance of this Santa Rosa de Lima news, where you mentioned that the width goes from 40 meters to 50 meters, which -- they just seem substantial.
But is the -- what's the ore grade on this incremental 10 meters? And overall, just from this one part of Santa Rosa de Lima, how much ore will -- and does this suggest it's contained in this one area? And will this supply the Mal Paso Mill for one year or three years? Or just -- can you give us a sense of the magnitude and the opportunities that you see, really, with this area? Thank you.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
OK. Thanks, Jim. Jim, that area, it's a series of stockwork. It's a veins system.
It's a series of systems. So what we're seeing is, in the development plan, this is going to be a sublevel drilling plus a fill operation. So it's almost like an avoca method. So it's going to be a volumetric plus to the whole operation.
And the grades range from one end to the other, and we've got some high-grade intercepts in the center. I can't really disclose what the average grade is going to be because we're in the process right now of putting together our definition program, defining our targets in the zone. We've got average grades running from 160 grams to 5,300 grams. So they run the map.
The idea is looking at this possibility -- not possibility, it's more than the possibility, it's an actual plan. We run this with a sublevel stoping technique with long haul of roughly 12-meter levels, 12 meters between levels, and we'll bump it up to 16 meters down below. So it's going to give us some productivity opportunities here. The idea is in the next plan, the next quarter, we're going to be reviewing our plan for next year.
This area could supply the complete mill with one year of supply. And we continue with the ramp and so on, going down. And then the following that, the lower levels, as we go down the next 16 meters to 32 meters below, we're pretty confident this zone continues at depth. So roughly, the dimensions run 70 meters in depth that we know now.
We've got it approximately 100 meters long. And then the center is like an ellipsoid. So the exact section in the middle runs anywhere from 40 meters to 50 meters wide. And we're driving development drifts right now in that zone, it's basically draw points.
And we're going to structure it so that we can long haul the complete area and retreat back. And then on the area above the zone, we have an end of sight contact and that's the area where we're going to be filling. So we're going to be doing the progressive fill behind the stoping program. So it's a modified sublevel cave, sublevel long haul drilling program.
And that will give us both tonnage immediately. So that's the concept. So if it all goes correctly, we have one year's capacity. Then we follow it up with the next year with another year's capacity.
Just in that zone with what we know now. But we need to do the definition drilling program below the 1,744 level where we're mining now. This is a great opportunity. There are other opportunities like this in the mine as well.
The other area we spoke about before called the Azucarera. And there's some opportunities in the upper part of the mine that we have to look at with a possible potential. After drilling program is complete, there's a possibility that we can get some bulk tonnage in the form of a small open-pit on the surface. That is in the future.
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
OK. Thank you. And Gord, at Bolivar, can you update us with respect to the timing for starting to process the ore out of the Bolivar Northwest and the Bolivar West areas? These, as I recall that, like El Gallo, is a much more lower grade than Bolivar West and Bolivar Northwest. But can you give us a sense as to when this ore is starting to get -- is going to get processed in old areas and also in the Cieneguita zone, what's the timing of that? Thank you.
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
OK, all right. Thanks, Jim. Jim, concerning Bolivar, right now, our definition programs have delineated that we need to work on the El Gallo Inferior area of the mine. We do have grades that are close to the 1% mark in that area.
We have programs. Now we're actually going after the pillars in the upper part of Gallo Superior mantle, and that's giving us an opportunity in better grade. So we're going to target the Gallo Superior, as well as the Gallo Inferior area. We're going to continue with the access we're in the process right now.
And the next month, we're going to be reviewing our strategy to attack these zones. In the future, we're going to get a complete strategy review with our mine teams. It will be here. And we're going to review the Gallo area.
That has opportunity. We've more than doubled the resources in that area so there's an opportunity that warrants attacking. We've changed the mining method from the room and pillar. And we're approximately -- our target is for next year to be about 85% to around 87% long-haul drilling, long-haul stoping in the mantle zone.
As well, our continued drives to Bolivar West and Bolivar Northwest, those ramps will continue. But we're going to review everything we're looking at now. We've got to concentrate on what opportunities are right there in front of our faces first and then go after these other zones. There's a considerable amount of development to do.
There's also a review that we have to do in targeting that tunnel to run from the Mal -- the pardon me, the Piedras Verdes plant to the Gallo and the Bolivar West areas of the mine. That would give us some other opportunities for fill and so on in the future. We have to review all of those. So to answer your question in one short comment, Gallo Inferior is our target to new development in key areas.
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
OK, great. Thank you. And then last, if I could, Gord. Can you just help -- just update us on, like, Yauricocha, where your priorities are at that mine? Because you have so many opportunities that you're pursuing, but -- and then also, in particular, the Chonta Fault, what's happening in that area?
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
OK. In the mining plant, we have been very optimistic in our runs and we've delivered, for the first half of the year, excess production in many of the zones. One of the opportunities that we've been able to access has been the zones of the Cuerpos Chicos. This has been the result of our definition program in the area of Cachi Cachi, that's one.
Also, in the areas close to Mascota and the immediate area near Cuye -- the Central Mine zone. We've targeted some new areas. Our definition drilling program has picked up some more of these Cuerpos Chicos, that's why our head grades have been above the norm. So that opportunity has been well-received.
So our target is to continue with that area, continue with the Esperanza area as far as mining is concerned. So Esperanza, Cachi Cachi and the Central Mine zone are the same opportunities. We're going to go after those, carry on with that. On the exploration front, we're drilling on a potential porphyry from the 720 level.
Down -- we're going approximately 1,500 meters. And we're in process right now. We've picked up chalcopyrite stringers, plus molybdenite. So there's -- we have to target that drilling program.
So that's an opportunity for the future. In the surface program, we've got targets. And by the way, that one potential porphyry is also based on the Titan 24 geophysical survey. We also have delineated the drilling program under the Cuye area of the mine.
That's also noted in the Titan 24 program. Also, underneath the Esperanza zone, again, another program. Our future run for the next few years is going to be a horizontal run to try and access as much ore as we possibly can from that 1,070 level. We know that we have drill intercepts at the 1,070 horizon to -- between the Esperanza zone and Cachi Cachi.
We've got that target area. So we know that there is opportunity there. Now we have to start to look at this with an opportunity to increase our resources. Though on the case of the Chonta Fault, as I mentioned, the program -- there's a program of approximately 8,000 meters of drilling to do on surface.
And we've got -- we made the presentations to the communities to detail what we want to do. It's two communities. The community of Loras and Antalis. And that first presentation was done.
And we expect that -- it's a process, you know? It's an informative process. And we've got a total of 21 different sites all targeted in that same program with this community. So we expect to see the go signal coming from them -- from the government in four weeks' time. We're ready to go with two drill stations now on the Chonta Fault.
And we have geochemical anomalies, as well as the area has some prospecting done before. So we know that there's good targets there for lead, zinc, silver. There's good opportunity there.
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
OK. And my last question, if I could, for Igor and Ed, is that, on Page 11 of your corporate presentation, you have both your 2018 production guidance and 2018 cost guidance. So we're more than halfway through the year at this stage, and you seem to be exceeding expectations. Can you give us a better sense on the production? Are you going to be toward the higher end or are you exceeding your production targets? And likewise, on the cost guidance, your cost guidance and your performance so far at Yauricocha and Bolivar are notably below your targets.
And Cusi, you are making progress. So can you share with us some thoughts and maybe potentially narrow some guidance for both production and cost for this year? Thank you.
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Yes. I will respond, part of your question, and then I will let Ed to complement. Remember what Gordon mentioned? We have maintenance program on the Mascota shaft in Yauricocha. And so that -- during those three months, on the fourth quarter, Yauricocha will not be able to deliver the higher tonnages that it had been delivering in the first three quarters.
So that's something we have to keep in mind. This maintenance has been budgeted. It was part of our plan all the way. So -- and this is the main reason why we would like to be cautious and stay on budget.
So in terms of production, we would like to keep our guidance the way it is. And I guess that's going to impact also the cost. So I don't know if -- Ed, do you want to complement that?
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks. Thanks, Igor. I think, Jim, in terms of production guidance and to where -- what Igor was saying as well, I think we're going to be pretty much, like, right there, in the middle between the low and the high is a fair assessment for the year. So zinc at 200 million pounds, copper, a little about 90, 93-ish range and same for silver.
So I don't see any variation from a low perspective. And I don't think we're going to knock it out of the park either, in terms of hitting the highs. But somewhere in the middle of low and high is a good guidance. In terms of 2018 cost guidance, I think those are still -- those are the numbers we're striving for.
And I know we're a little below at Yauricocha and Bolivar, and Cusi has a potential to come down. So I think those are still attainable.
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
OK, thank you.
Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Lee Cooperman with Omega Advisors. Your line is open.
Lee Cooperman -- Omega Advisors -- Analyst
This is a difficult question. I don't have the industry knowledge that you guys possess. I'm just curious, from your historical experience, after the corporate transaction in the space, does it generally take place a premium or discount to the present value calculation of the asset base -- the $428 million is your NPV. Generally speaking, not so much for Sierra, but a sign of growth for them to enter with the growth prospects of the company.
Typically, how do these transactions occur relative to NPV or net asset value?
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Operating Officer
Ed, do you want to comment on that?
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Igor. So Lee, in terms of -- it all depends. Usually, it's based on a share price, and there's usually a premium to the share price. Again, there's so many scenarios.
It all depends, right? If someone's going, if it's a private transaction, it changes. There's no rhyme or reason. But typically, what you see is, in terms of acquisitions of public companies, is that there is a premium associated to a share price and that could be a 20-day VWAP, six-month VWAP. There's really no template.
Lee Cooperman -- Omega Advisors -- Analyst
Yes, I don't think that would work for us, frankly because we're so far below NAV. But OK. A difficult question, I'm just curious if you had any insight. Thank you very much for taking a shot at it.
Operator
No further questions at this time. I turn the call back over to the presenters.
Mike McAllister -- Vice President of Corporate Development
Thank you, operator. That concludes today's call. On behalf of the management team, I would like to thank all the participants for joining us today. A replay of the webcast and the materials can be found on our website at www.sierrametals.com.
If there are any further questions or concerns, you can reach out to the management team any time after today's call. Our contact information can be found in today's presentation, as well as on the company's website. Thank you, operator, please conclude the call.
Operator
[Operator signoff]
Duration: 76 minutes
Call Participants:
Mike McAllister -- Vice President of Corporate Development
Igor Gonzales -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Gordon Babcock -- Chief Operating Officer
Ed Guimaraes -- Chief Financial Officer
Jake Sekelsky -- Roth Capital Partners -- Analyst
Lee Cooperman -- Omega Advisors -- Analyst
Mark Reichman -- Noble Capital Markets -- Analyst
Matt Barry -- H.C. Wainwright -- Analyst
Chris LaFemina -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Jim Young -- West Family Investments -- Analyst
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