Interview with Ian Cockerill, CEO of Endeavour Mining

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/endeavour-mining-tsxedv-free-cash-flow-surges-to-411m-in-q1-7087

Recording date: 17th September 2025

Endeavour Mining, one of the world's top 10 gold producers, is demonstrating exceptional operational execution amid gold's surge beyond $3,600 per ounce. The West African-focused miner delivered 58% of annual production guidance in the first half of 2025 while maintaining industry-leading costs across its five-mine portfolio.

The company's disciplined capital allocation strategy has positioned it as a leader in shareholder returns. Endeavour will distribute $379 per ounce produced through dividends and buybacks, including $150 million in cash dividends and $69 million in share repurchases by end of H2 2025. "We have class leading dividends both in terms of guaranteed dividends, supplemental cash dividends as well as buybacks," noted CEO Ian Cockerill.

Despite generous shareholder distributions, management is strategically reinvesting windfall cash from elevated gold prices. The company plans material increases in exploration spending, leveraging historical discovery costs of just $25 per ounce versus current gold prices exceeding $3,600. "Our discovery cost historically has been $25 an ounce. $100 to find something that's worth $3,500. Think of the value add that brings to us," Cockerill emphasized.

Endeavour has secured 30% organic production growth through 2030, targeting 1.5 million ounces annually from existing project pipelines. This growth foundation provides flexibility for additional opportunities without execution pressure. The company is evaluating geographic expansion beyond West Africa, focusing on similar geological terrains where its frontier market expertise applies.

While current gold prices create approximately $1,500 per ounce windfall above guidance assumptions, management recognizes commodity price cyclicality. Their balanced approach of returning substantial cash to shareholders while investing in high-return exploration and operational improvements positions Endeavour to maintain industry-leading performance regardless of future price movements.

Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/endeavour-mining

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Interview with Shawn Khunkhun, CEO of Dolly Varden Silver Corporation

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/dolly-varden-silver-tsxvdv-targets-top-10-global-producer-status-7537

Recording date: 12th September 2025

Dolly Varden Silver Corporation has emerged as a compelling consolidation story in the precious metals sector, delivering exceptional returns while positioning for significant growth in an improving silver market. Under CEO Shawn Khunkhun's leadership since February 2020, the company has systematically transformed from a $20 million market cap explorer into a $550 million silver platform, generating 650% share price appreciation for shareholders.

The company's strategic approach centers on consolidating high-grade silver assets in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, accumulating five past-producing mines through methodical acquisitions. Khunkhun's contrarian timing proved prescient, entering the market when $16 silver prices provided minimal exploration incentives for major producers. "We've raised $150 million, and the idea has been, let's create an instrument where investors could get exposure to silver," he explained, describing the systematic vehicle construction.

Technical fundamentals support the growth trajectory. The company's assets demonstrate exceptional metallurgy with 88% silver recovery rates, backed by 196,000 meters of drilling and strong community support in a region seeking economic development. A robust $40 million treasury provides flexibility for both organic growth through a 55,000-meter drill program and strategic acquisitions.

The institutional investor base reflects confidence in management execution, with 50% institutional ownership including Fidelity, US Global, and Eric Sprott's 10% stake. The April 2025 US listing delivered an immediate 38% share price bump, enhancing access to American capital markets.

With only ten primary silver producers globally, Khunkhun sees a clear path to becoming "the 11th" through continued consolidation. Management targets ambitious but achievable goals: $2 billion market cap, 400% share price appreciation, and production status within 18 months. As silver trades at $42 per ounce and generalist investors increase precious metals allocations, Dolly Varden appears positioned to capitalize on both sector rotation and metal price appreciation.

Learn more: http://cruxinvestor.com/companies/dolly-varden-silver

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Interview with David Wolfin, CEO, Avino Silver & Gold Mines

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/avino-silver-gold-tsxasm-silver-junior-plans-8-10m-oz-annual-output-by-2030-6788

Recording date: 17th September 2025

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Limited presents a compelling transformation story in the precious metals sector, positioning itself for intermediate producer status through strategic organic growth. Under CEO David Wolfin's leadership, the company is executing a clear five-year plan to expand from one to three producing assets, all owned outright and designed to drive substantial operational leverage.

The foundation of this growth strategy rests on the flagship Avino Mine, which generates 2.5 to 2.8 million ounces of silver equivalent annually. This cornerstone operation provides the cash flow foundation supporting expansion while maintaining competitive cost metrics. The company's Q2 2025 financial results demonstrate strong execution with $21.8 million in revenue, $10 million in operating income, and $4.4 million in free cash flow, achieved at all-in sustaining costs of $20.93 per ounce.

The next phase centers on La Preciosa, acquired from Coeur Mining in 2022 and permitted in Q1 2025. Recent drilling results have exceeded expectations, revealing 7.9 meters of 1,600 grams of silver equivalent, substantially higher than the 200-gram resource grid used in original planning. This higher-grade ore will contribute to lower costs and improved margins when processed through existing mill infrastructure.

Avino's financial strategy distinguishes it from peers. "We're doing the opposite of our peers. We're unlevering, unhedging, and buying back the royalty," Wolfin explains. This approach has created a debt-free balance sheet with $50 million in cash, providing flexibility for self-funded expansion without equity dilution.

Market recognition has followed operational success. The company achieved 600% stock performance over three years, earning inclusion in both the TSX30 and GDXJ index. With daily trading volumes of 6-8 million shares on NYSE American, institutional accessibility continues improving.
The third asset, oxide tailings processing, completes Avino's measured expansion approach, targeting combined all-in sustaining costs in the "mid-teens to low teens" range across all operations.

Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/avino-silver-gold-mines-ltd

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