Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Endeavour Silver Reports Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results

Q3, 2012 Conference Call at 10 am PDT, Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Vancouver, Canada -- November 6, 2012 - Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR, NYSE: EXK, Frankfurt: EJD) announced today its financial and operating results and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the Third Quarter, 2012. Endeavour owns and operates three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico: the Guanacevi Mine in Durango State, the Bolanitos Mine in Guanajuato State and the recently acquired El Cubo Mine, also located in the Guanajuato mining district only 15 kilometers from the Bolanitos Mine.

Net earnings were $16 thousand and operating cash-flow was $15.3 million from revenues totaling $51.9 million in the Third Quarter, 2012. The Company reported adjusted earnings (a non-IFRS measure1) of $1.7 million ($0.02 per share). The Company's cash cost of production, net of by-product gold credits, was $4.70 per ounce (oz) of silver.

Highlights of Third Quarter, 2012 (Compared to Q3, 2011)

Net earnings decreased to $16 thousand ($0.00 per share) compared to a $3.1 million ($0.04 per share)

Adjusted earnings(1) fell 81% to $1.7 million ($0.02 per share) compared to $8.9 million

Operating cash-flow before working capital changes dipped 20% to $16.4 million

Mine operating cash-flow(1) decreased 1% to $27.0 million

Revenues rose 34% to $51.9 million on sales of 1,294,241 oz silver and 8,984 oz gold

Working Capital reduced to $58.8 million due to the El Cubo Mine acquisition

Silver production rose 33% to 1,137,883 oz

Gold production rose 139% to 11,754 oz

Silver equivalents production rose 56% to 1.73 million oz (at a 50:1 silver:gold ratio)

Realized silver price fell 29% to $28.72 per oz sold (4% lower than the average spot price for Q3, 2012)

Realized gold price fell 3% to $1,637 per oz sold (1% lower than the average spot price for Q3, 2012)

Cash costs(2) fell 7% to $4.70 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)

Bullion held in inventory at quarter-end included 425,746 oz silver and 4,344 oz gold

Concentrate held in process at quarter-end included 347,044 oz silver and 5,384 oz gold

(1) Adjusted earnings, mine operating cash-flow and cash costs are non-IFRS measures which are reconciled in the Company's management discussion and analysis.

Bradford Cooke, CEO and Director, commented, "We are pleased with the operating performance of our Guanacevi and Bolanitos Mines in the 3rd Quarter, 2012, especially the lower cash costs of production, but as expected, the newly acquired El Cubo Mine had a difficult quarter. Endeavour's financial performance in Q3, 2012 also met our expectations except for the impact of two new items, a $3.3 million write-down of inventory at El Cubo and a $5.0 million contingent liability on the additional conditional payments to Aurico Gold pursuant to the acquisition agreement."

"Quarterly cash-flow and earnings were also lower due to a combination of lower metal prices, high operating and acquisition costs related to El Cubo, and increased exploration expenditures. However, the Company's working capital remains strong, augmented by the new $75 million bank line of credit."

"Our 20% mine and plant expansion to 1200 tpd at Guanacevi was successfully completed in Q3 on time and budget and the operation is now outperforming its rated capacity. The 60% mine and plant expansion to 1600 tpd at Guanajuato is well on track for completion before year-end and the mine is already producing 1600 tpd."

"At El Cubo, Endeavour effectively reported only two months of production due to the July 13 closing date of the acquisition and the residence time need for metal in process to report to dore. Therefore, silver and gold production and recoveries were lower than forecast. Operating costs on a per ounce basis were higher due to the low metal production and the added costs of ownership transition."

"However, the many operating changes initiated at El Cubo during the 3rd Quarter are starting to take effect, as evidenced by the substantial increase in production grades since the closing of the acquisition. Much work remains to be done but management is confident that a turn-around is now underway at El Cubo. We will continue to focus on improving the operations at El Cubo over the next four quarters and completing the capital improvement projects in 2013."

"The turn-around at Bolanitos that our operating team achieved over the first 8 quarters after we acquired the mine in 2007 is a good example of what we hope to accomplish at El Cubo. From Q3, 2007 to Q3, 2009, Bolanitos production rose from 80,000 oz silver to 200,000 oz silver per quarter and the cash costs of production fell from more than $30 per oz to less than $0 per oz, because of the growing economies of scale and the growing gold credit. Although El Cubo is starting from a much higher level of production, it has been a high cost operation so management has identified a number of opportunities to reduce the cash costs of production and grow the silver production at El Cubo."

Financial Results (see Consolidated Statement of Operations)

Revenues increased 34% to $51.9 million in Q3, 2012 (Q3, 2011 - $38.8 million) due to higher silver-gold production. The Company sold 1,294,241 oz silver and 8,984 oz gold at average realized prices of $28.72 per oz and $1,637 per oz, respectively. The silver realized price was 29% lower compared to prior year. Costs of Sales were up 88% to $31.4 million (Q3, 2011 - $16.6 million) due to increased production and higher costs.

Mine Operating Cash-Flow decreased 1% to $27.0 million (Q3, 2011 - $27.1 million), Mine Operating Earnings dropped 8% to $20.4 million (Q3, 2011 -- $22.1 million), and Operating Earnings fell 12% to $14.1 million (Q3, 2011 --$16.1 million). Operating Cash-Flow was $15.3 million (Q3, 2011 -- $14.3 million).

Earnings Before Taxes were $5.6 million (Q3, 2011 - $8.9 million) after the Mark to Market Loss on Derivative Liabilities of $1.7 million (Q3, 2011 - $5.8 million), a Loss on Contingent Liability of $5.0 million, a Write Down of El Cubo production inventory of $3.3 million. The Company realized Net Earnings for the period of $16 thousand or $0.00 per share (Q3, 2011 - $3.1 million) after an Income Tax Provision of $5.6 million (Q3, 2011- $5.8 million).

Net Earnings include a mark to market derivative liability gain related to share purchase warrants issued in 2009 and denominated in Canadian dollars, while the Company's functional currency is the US dollar. Under IFRS, these warrants are classified and accounted for as financial liability at fair market value with adjustments recognized through net earnings.

Adjusted Earnings were $1.7 million ($0.02 per share) compared to $8.9 million in 2011 ($0.10 per share), excluding the derivative liability adjustment related to the warrants.

Cash Costs decreased 7% to $4.70 per oz silver produced in Q3, 2012 (Q3, 2011 - $5.03 per oz) mainly due to the increasing production from the low cost Bolanitos mine. Endeavour reports its cash costs according to the Silver Institute cash cost reporting guidelines.

Excluding the purchase of the El Cubo mine, capital investments totaled $18.4 million in property, plant and equipment during the Third Quarter, 2012. The main focus was on underground development at the Guanacevi, Bolanitos and El Cubo mines, expanding the mining fleet, and upgrading various circuits at the plants to handle increased throughputs.

The Company used $100 million of its cash reserves in July 2012 for the El Cubo purchase which reduced the Company's short term liquidity position but improves the Company's long term growth profile. To augment working capital, the Company entered into a $75 million revolving credit facility to remain focused on growth activities. The Company had $58.8 million of working capital as of September 30, 2012.

Operating Results (see Consolidated Table of Operations)

Consolidated silver production climbed 33% to 1,137,883 oz and gold production jumped 139% to 11,754 oz in Q3, 2012 compared to Q3, 2011. The increased silver and gold production is primarily attributable to rising throughputs, offset by 29% lower silver grades. The increased throughputs are the result of mine and plant expansions completed at both Guanacevi and Bolanitos in 2011 and 2012. The decreased silver grades are due to rising throughput at Bolanitos, the addition of the El Cubo operations, both of which have lower silver grades compared to Guanacevi, and the mining of lower grade silver ores at the operations due to normal grade variations and to take advantage generally higher metal prices. As a result, consolidated silver equivalent production rose 56% to 1.73 million oz (50:1 silver:gold ratio, no base metals) compared to Q3, 2011.

At El Cubo, the many new capital projects at the mine, plant and related surface infrastructure are now well underway. About 80% of the planned demolition has been completed at the El Tajo plant to allow for the rebuilding of that processing facility to 1,200 tpd with room for future expansion. Crushing, milling, flotation and other critical equipment has been ordered. Approximately 20% of the leach circuit refurbishment has been completed and bottlenecks in the Merrill Crowe circuit and silver refinery are now being resolved. The transformation of El Cubo includes the construction of new administration offices, security buildings, warehouses and maintenance shops, all of which have commenced or will commence before year-end.

The Company's focus on safety is also starting to take traction at El Cubo, with a significant increase in training hours, the implementation of new safety policies and practices and a reduction of lost time accidents already evident in the 3rd Quarter, 2012.

Outlook for Q4, 2012 and Adjusted Production Guidance for 2012

In the Fourth Quarter of 2012, Endeavour anticipates its financial position will remain steady, reflecting rising silver and gold prices, rising precious metal production, and higher capital, operating and exploration costs. Industry-wide inflationary pressures on operating costs should be offset by the new economies of scale attained at the Bolanitos and Guanacevi mines as well as the operational turn-around now underway at El Cubo.

Silver production should continue to rise but cash costs are also expected to rise in the 4th quarter reflecting increased production at all three mines, especially the higher cost El Cubo mine. However, management anticipates the El Cubo cash costs of production should start to decline in Q4, 2012. The Company forecasted El Cubo to produce 600,000 -- 700,000 oz silver and 7,500 -- 9,000 oz gold (975,000 oz - 1,150,000 oz silver equivalent production at a 50:1 silver:gold ratio) in the second half of 2012. As a result of the slow start at El Cubo, management now estimates El Cubo will produce 400,000 oz silver and 7,000 oz gold from the date of acquisition to year end.

Guanacevi is expected to produce 2.6 million oz silver, just shy of forecast, and beat its 6,000 oz gold production guidance. Bolanitos should meet its 1.6 million oz silver and beat its 20,000 oz gold production guidance. The Company therefore revises it 2012 production guidance to reflect slightly lower silver production (4.6 million oz), significantly higher gold production (38,000 oz) and cash costs of production at the low end of the $6-7 per oz range previously forecasted.

Q3, 2012 Conference Call at 10 am PDT (1 pm EDT) on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A conference call to discuss the Q3, 2012 financial and operating results will be held at 1 pm Eastern Time (10 am Pacific Time) on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following:

800-319-4610 Canada and USA (Toll-free)

604-638-5340 Vancouver Dial In

1-604-638-5340 Outside of Canada & USA

No passcode is necessary

A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-800-319-6413 in Canada & USA (Toll-free) or 1-604-638-9010 outside of Canada and USA. The required pass code is 4890 followed by #.

ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.

Per:

/s/ "Bradford J. Cooke"

BRADFORD COOKE

Chief Executive Officer