Coeur d’Alene back in black with $1-billion in metals sales

Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp. (TSX:CDM) broke production and sales records in 2011.

The Idaho-based silver and gold producer, with mines in Bolivia, Mexico Alaska, Nevada, Argentina and Australia, sold $1 billion worth of metal last year, nearly doubling sales in 2010. The company’s operating cash flow more than doubled, increasing 147% to a record $454.4 million; Coeur d’Alene made a profit of $93.5 million last year compared to a net loss of $91.3 million in 2010.

Gold production hit a record 220,382 ounces, a 40% increase, while the production of silver rose 14% to top 19.1 million ounces.

“2011 was a transformational year for the company. It marked the first full year that all three of our newer mines were in production together, ” said Coeur d’Alene President and CEO Mitchell J. Krebs. “We aggressively paid down nearly $50 million of debt, invested $120 million in capital expenditures intended to benefit shareholders over the long-term, invested $25 million in five silver exploration and development companies, and funded a robust $26 million exploration program.”

Coeur d’Alene is forecasting to produce 18.5-20 million ounces of silver this year and 210-230,000 ounces of gold.

The company’s stock is enjoying a nice ride in 2012,  rising from $24.09 at the end of December to $29.42 today, a 22% gain.

Read the full news release