Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (the “Company” or “Avino”) was incorporated in 1968 under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. The Company is engaged in the production and sale of silver, gold, and copper and the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of mineral properties.

The Company’s head office and principal place of business is Suite 900, 570 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Company is a reporting issuer in Canada and the United States, and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”), the NYSE American, and the Frankfurt and Berlin Stock Exchanges. 

The Company owns interests in mineral properties located in Durango, Mexico, as well as in British Columbia and the Yukon, Canada. On October 1, 2012, the Company commenced production of silver and gold at levels intended by management at its San Gonzalo Mine, and on July 1, 2015, the Company commenced production of copper, silver, and gold at levels intended by management at its Avino Mine; both mines are located on the historic Avino property in the state of Durango, Mexico.

Risks associated with Public Health Crises, including COVID-19

The Company's business, operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as the outbreak of COVID-19 that was designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The international response to the spread of COVID-19 has led to significant restrictions on travel, temporary business closures, quarantines, global stock market volatility and a general reduction in consumer activity. Such public health crises can result in operating, supply chain and project development delays and disruptions, global stock market and financial market volatility, declining trade and market sentiment, reduced movement of people and labour shortages, and travel and shipping disruption and shutdowns, including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures, or a fear of any of the foregoing, all of which could affect commodity prices, interest rates, credit risk and inflation. In addition, the current COVID-19 pandemic, and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens could have an adverse impact on global economic conditions which may adversely impact the Company's operations, and the operations of suppliers, contractors and service providers, including smelter and refining service providers, and the demand for the Company's production.

The Company may experience business interruptions, including suspended (whether government mandated or otherwise) or reduced operations relating to COVID-19 and other such events outside of the Company's control, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, operations and operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

As at the date of the consolidated financial statements, the duration of the business disruptions internationally and related financial impact of COVID-19 cannot be reasonably estimated. It is unknown whether and how the Company may be affected if the pandemic persists for an extended period of time. In particular, the region in which we operate may not have sufficient public infrastructure to adequately respond or efficiently and quickly recover from such event, which could have a materially adverse effect on the Company's operations. The Company's exposure to such public health crises also includes risks to employee health and safety. Should an employee, contractor, community member or visitor become infected with a serious illness that has the potential to spread rapidly, this could place the Company's workforce at risk.

Statement of Compliance

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements are expressed in US dollars and have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.  In addition, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting on a going concern basis. The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements as if the policies have always been in effect.

Foreign Currency Translation

Functional & presentation currencies

The functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries is the US dollar, which is determined to be the currency of the primary economic environment in which the subsidiaries operate.

Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each financial position reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date of the statement of financial position.  Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not re-translated.

Foreign operations

Subsidiaries that have functional currencies other than the US dollar translate their statement of operations items at the average rate during the year. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the end of each reporting period. Exchange rate variations resulting from the retranslation at the closing rate of the net investment in these subsidiaries, together with differences between their statement of operations items translated at actual and average rates, are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). On disposition or partial disposition of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount of related exchange difference is recognized in the statement of operations.

Significant Accounting Judgments and Estimates

The Company’s management makes judgments in its process of applying the Company’s accounting policies to the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. In addition, the preparation of financial data requires that the Company’s management make assumptions and estimates of the impacts on the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period from uncertain future events and on the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates as the estimation process is inherently uncertain. Estimates are reviewed on an ongoing basis based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant under the circumstances. Revisions to estimates and the resulting impacts on the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities are accounted for prospectively.

Management has determined that mine and camp, exploratory drilling, and other exploration and evaluation-related costs that were capitalized have future economic benefits and are economically recoverable. Management uses several criteria in its assessments of economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefits including geologic and metallurgic information, scoping studies, accessible facilities, existing permits, and mine plans.

Prior to reaching production levels intended by management, costs incurred are capitalized as part of the costs of related exploration and evaluation assets, and proceeds from concentrate sales are offset against costs capitalized. Depletion of capitalized costs for mining properties and depreciation of plant and equipment begin when operating levels intended by management have been reached. Management considers several factors in determining when a mining property has reached the intended production levels, including production capacity, recoveries, and number of uninterrupted production days. The results of operations of the Company during the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements have been impacted by management’s determination that the San Gonzalo Mine and Avino Mine had achieved production levels intended by management as of October 1, 2012 and July 1, 2015, respectively, and that none of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets had achieved production levels intended by management as at December 31, 2020.

The basis for achievement of production levels intended by management as indicated by technical feasibility and commercial viability is generally established with proven reserves based on a NI 43-101-compliant technical report or a comparable resource statement and feasibility study, combined with pre-production operating statistics and other factors. In cases where the Company does not have a 43-101-compliant reserve report, on which to base a production decision, the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource are considered in light of additional factors including but not limited to:

When technical feasibility and commercial viability are considered demonstrable according to the above criteria and other factors, the Company performs an impairment assessment and records an impairment loss, if any, before reclassifying exploration and evaluation costs to plant, equipment, and mining properties.

The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment, in which the entity operates. The Company has determined the functional currency of the Company to be the Canadian dollar. The Company has determined the functional currency of its Mexican subsidiaries to be the US dollar. Determination of functional currency may involve certain judgments to determine the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency of its entities, if there is a change in events and conditions, which determine the primary economic environment.

Concentrate and stockpile mineralized material are valued at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. The assumptions used in the valuation of concentrate and stockpile mineralized material include estimates of copper, silver, and gold contained in the stockpiles and finished goods assumptions for the amount of copper, silver, and gold that is expected to be recovered from the concentrate. If these estimates or assumptions prove to be inaccurate, the Company could be required to write down the recorded value of its concentrate and stockpile mineralized material inventory, which would result in an increase in the Company’s expenses and a reduction in its working capital.

The Company’s provision for reclamation represents management’s best estimate of the present value of the future cash outflows required to settle estimated reclamation and closure costs at the Avino and San Gonzalo properties. The provision reflects estimates of future costs, inflation, foreign exchange rates and assumptions of risks associated with the future cash outflows, and the applicable risk-free interest rates for discounting the future cash outflows. Changes in the above factors could result in a change to the provision recognized by the Company.

Changes to reclamation and closure cost obligations are recorded with a corresponding change to the carrying amounts of the related exploration and evaluation assets or mining properties. Adjustments to the carrying amounts of related mining properties result in a change to future depletion expense.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model for valuation of share-based payments and warrants. Option pricing models require the input of subjective assumptions including expected price volatility, interest rate, and forfeiture rate. Changes in the input assumptions can materially affect fair value estimates and the Company’s net income or loss and its equity reserves. Warrant liabilities are accounting for as derivate liabilities (see Note 16).

Management considers both external and internal sources of information in assessing whether there are any indications that the Company’s plant, equipment, and mining properties, and exploration and evaluation assets are impaired. External sources of information management considers include changes in the market, economic and legal environments, in which the Company operates, that are not within its control and that affect the recoverable amount of its plant, equipment, and mining properties. Internal sources of information that management considers include the manner in which mining properties and plant and equipment are being used, or are expected to be used, and indications of economic performance of the assets.

In determining the recoverable amounts of the Company’s plant, equipment and mining properties, management makes estimates of the undiscounted future pre-tax cash flows expected to be derived from the Company’s mining properties, and the appropriate discount rate. Reductions in metal price forecasts, increases in estimated future costs of production, increases in estimated future non expansionary capital expenditures, reductions in the amount of recoverable resources and exploration potential, and adverse current economic conditions are examples of factors that could result in a write down of the carrying amounts of the Company’s plant, equipment and mining properties, and exploration and evaluation assets.

Impairment  

Based on the Company’s assessment with respect to possible indicators of impairment of its mineral properties, including the impact of COVID-19 on our operations and the prevailing market metals prices, the Company concluded that as of December 31, 2020, no impairment indicators were identified.

Depreciation and depletion expenses are allocated based on estimates for useful lives of assets. Should the asset life, depletion rates, or depreciation rates differ from the initial estimate, the revised life or rate would be reflected prospectively through income or loss. A change in the mineral resource estimate may impact depletion expense on a prospective basis.

Actual amounts of income tax expense are not final until tax returns are filed and accepted by the relevant authorities. This occurs subsequent to the issuance of the consolidated financial statements and the final determination of actual amounts may not be completed for a number of years. Therefore, tax assets and liabilities and net income in subsequent periods will be affected by the amount that estimates differ from the final tax return. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecasted cash flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction. Forecasted cash flows from operations are based on projections internally developed and reviewed by management. Weight is attached to tax planning opportunities that are within the Company’s control, and are feasible and implementable without significant obstacles. The likelihood that tax positions taken will be sustained upon examination by applicable tax authorities is assessed based on individual facts and circumstances of the relevant tax position evaluated in light of all available evidence. Where applicable tax laws and regulations are either unclear or subject to ongoing varying interpretations, it is reasonably possible that changes in these estimates can occur that could materially affect the amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Up until the sale of Bralorne Gold Mines Ltd. (“Bralorne”) on December 13, 2019 (see Note 5), the consolidated financial statements included the 100% ownership interest of Bralorne, a mining and exploration company located in Canada.

Intercompany balances and transactions, including unrealized income and expenses arising from intercompany transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Cash

Cash in the consolidated statement of financial position comprise cash at banks and on hand and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less, which are readily convertible into a known amount of cash.

Exploration and evaluation assets and development costs

(i) Exploration and evaluation expenditures

The Company capitalizes all costs relating to the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of mineral claims. Expenditures incurred before the Company has obtained the legal rights to explore a specific area are expensed. The Company’s capitalized exploration and evaluation costs are classified as intangible assets. Such costs include, but are not limited to, certain camp costs, geophysical studies, exploratory drilling, geological and sampling expenditures, and depreciation of plant and equipment during the exploration stage. Costs not directly attributable to exploration and evaluation activities, including general administrative overhead costs, are expensed in the period in which they occur. Proceeds from the sale of mineral products or farm outs during the exploration and evaluation stage are deducted from the related capitalized costs.  

The carrying values of capitalized amounts are reviewed annually, or when indicators of impairment are present. In the case of undeveloped properties, there may be only inferred resources to allow management to form a basis for the impairment review. The review is based on the Company’s intentions for the development of such properties. If a mineral property does not prove to be viable, all unrecoverable costs associated with the property are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) at the time the determination is made.

When the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting mineral resources have been demonstrated, exploration and evaluation costs are assessed for impairment, reclassified to mining properties and become subject to depletion. Management considers the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource to be demonstrable upon the completion of a positive feasibility study and the establishment of mineral reserves. For certain mineral projects, management may determine the completion of a feasibility study to be cost prohibitive, unnecessary or to present undue risk to the structural integrity of the ore body. Under such circumstances, management considers technical feasibility to be demonstrable when the Company has obtained the necessary environmental and mining permits, land surface and mineral access rights, and the mineral project can be physically constructed and operated in a technically sound manner to produce a saleable mineral product. In assessing whether commercial viability is demonstrable, management considers if its internal economic assessment indicates that the mineral project can be mined to generate a reasonable return on investment for the risk undertaken, and markets or long-term contracts for the product exist.

(ii) Development expenditures

Mine development costs are capitalized until the mineral property is capable of operating in the manner intended by management. The Company evaluates the following factors in determining whether a mining property is capable of operating in the manner intended by management:

The carrying values of capitalized development costs are reviewed annually, or when indicators are present, for impairment.

Plant, equipment and mining properties

Upon demonstrating the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting mineral resources, all expenditures incurred to that date for the mine are reclassified to mining properties. Expenditures capitalized to mining properties include all costs related to obtaining or expanding access to resources including extensions of the haulage ramp and installation of underground infrastructure, and the estimated reclamation provision. Expenditures incurred with respect to a mining property are capitalized when it is probable that additional future economic benefits will flow to the Company. Otherwise, such expenditures are classified as a cost of sales.

Plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical costs include expenditures that are directly attributable to bringing the asset to a location and condition necessary to operate in a manner intended by management. Such costs are accumulated as construction in progress until the asset is available for use, at which point the asset is classified as plant, equipment and mining properties and depreciation commences.

After the date that management’s intended production levels have been achieved, mining properties are depleted using the straight-line method over the estimated remaining life of the mine. The Company estimates the remaining life of its producing mineral properties on an annual basis using a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors including historical results, mineral resource estimates, and management’s intent to operate the property.

The Company does not have sufficient reserve information to form a basis for the application of the units-of-production method for depreciation and depletion.

As at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company estimated a remaining mine life for San Gonzalo of Nil.

The Company obtained an updated resource estimate which had increased measured and indicated resources, and as a result management completed a review of the mine operations and updated the remaining life of the Avino Mine. Depletion relating to the Avino Mine has been adjusted prospectively, as of October 31, 2020, which was the effective report date.

As at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company estimated a remaining mine life for the Avino Mine of 20.4 and 8.5 years, respectively.

Accumulated mill, machinery, plant facilities, and certain equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, not to exceed the life of the mine for any assets that are inseparable from the mine. When parts of an item of plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (or components) of plant and equipment.

Effective October 1, 2019, and as a result of a review of the remaining life and the pattern of usage of office equipment, furniture and fixtures, computer equipment and mine machinery and transportation equipment, the Company adopted a straight-line method for its plant and equipment, which were previously depreciated using the declining balance method. The change in depreciation has been applied prospectively as a change in estimate. The Company believes that the new method better reflects the pattern of consumption of future economic benefits to be derived from the assets being depreciated.

Plant and equipment are depreciated using the following annual rates and methods:

Impairment

At each financial position reporting date, the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment, if any.  Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Fair value is determined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, provided the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Leases

Leases in which the Company assumes substantially all risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Assets held under finance leases are recognized at the lower of the fair value and present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The corresponding liability is recognized as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease obligation to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining liability. Finance charges are recorded as a finance expense within profit and loss, unless they are attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalized.

Operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed, in which case that systematic basis is used. Operating lease payments are recorded within profit and loss unless they are attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalized.

Inventory

Material extracted from the Company's mine is classified as either process material or waste. Process material represents mineralized material that, at the time of extraction, the Company expects to process into a saleable form and sell at a profit, while waste is considered uneconomic to process and its extraction cost is included in direct mining costs. Raw materials are comprised of process material stockpiles. Process material is accumulated in stockpiles that are subsequently processed into bulk copper, silver, and gold concentrate in a saleable form. The Company has bulk copper, silver, and gold concentrate inventory in saleable form that has not yet been sold. Mine operating supplies represent commodity consumables and other raw materials used in the production process, as well as spare parts and other maintenance supplies that are not classified as capital items.

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value (“NRV”). Cost is determined on a weighted average basis and includes all costs incurred, based on normal production capacity, in bringing each product to its present location and condition. Cost of inventories comprises direct labor, materials and contractor expenses, depletion and depreciation on mining properties, plant and equipment, and an allocation of mine site costs. As mineralized material is removed for processing, costs are removed based on the average cost per tonne in the stockpile. Stockpiled process material tonnages are verified by periodic surveys.

NRV of mineralized material is determined with reference to relevant market prices less applicable variable selling expenses and costs to bring the inventory into its saleable form. NRV of materials and supplies is generally calculated by reference to salvage or scrap values when it is determined that the supplies are obsolete. NRV provisions are recorded within cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations, and are reversed to reflect subsequent recoveries where the inventory is still on hand.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue and costs to sell can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received, excluding discounts, rebates, and other sales tax or duty.

Performance Obligations

Based on the criteria outlined in IFRS 15, the Company applied significant judgment in determining that the primary performance obligation relating to its sales contracts is the delivery of concentrates. Shipping and insurance services arranged by the Company for concentrate sales that occur after the transfer of control are also considered performance obligations.

Transfer of Control

Based on the criteria outlined in IFRS 15, the Company applied significant judgment in determining when the transfer of control occurs. Management based its assessment on a number of indicators of control, which include but are not limited to, whether the Company has the present right of payment and whether the physical possession of the goods, significant risks and rewards, and legal title have been transferred to the customer.

Provisional Pricing

Based on the criteria outlined in IFRS 15, the Company applied significant judgment in determining variable consideration. The Company identified two provisional pricing components in concentrate sales, represents variable consideration in the form of a) adjustments between original and final assay results relating to the quantity and quality of concentrate shipments, as well as b) pricing adjustments between provisional and final invoicing based on market prices for base and precious metals.

Based on the Company’s historical accuracy in the assay process, as evidenced by the negligible historical adjustments relating to assay differences, the Company concluded the variability in consideration caused by the assaying results is negligible. The Company does not expect a significant amount of reversal related to assaying differences. The Company records revenues based on provisional invoices based on quoted market prices of the London Bullion Market Association and the London Metal Exchange during the quotation period outlined in the concentrate sales agreement. The Company applied judgment to determine the amount of variable consideration to be recognized during the period for which the likelihood of significant reversal is low.

Financial Instruments

Measurement – initial recognition

All financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recorded on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. All financial asset and liabilities are initially recorded at fair value, net of attributable transaction costs, except for those classified as fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities depends on the classifications of such assets and liabilities.

Classification – financial assets

Amortized cost:

Financial assets that are held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows, and that the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise on specified date to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding, are measured subsequent to initial recognition at amortized cost.

The amortized cost of a financial asset is the amount at which the financial asset is measured at initial recognition minus the principal repayments, plus the cumulative amortization using the effective interest method of any difference between that initial amount and the maturity amount, adjusted for any loss allowance. Interest income is recognized using the effect interest method, and is recognized in Interest and other income, on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss)

The Company financial assets at amortized costs include its cash, amounts receivable not related to sales of concentrate, investments (short-term), and reclamation bonds.

Fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”)

Financial assets that are held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to both collect contractual cash flows and selling financial assets, and that the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise on specified date to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Upon initial recognition of equity securities, the Company may make an irrevocable election (on an instrument-by-instrument basis) to designate its equity securities that would otherwise be measured at FVTPL to present subsequent changes in fair value in other comprehensive income. Designation at FVTOCI is not permitted if the equity investment is held for trading or if it is contingent consideration recognized by an acquirer in a business combination. Investments in equity instruments at FVTOCI are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized in other OCI. The cumulative gain or loss is not reclassified to profit or loss on disposal of the instrument; instead, it is transferred to retained earnings.

The Company currently has no financial assets designated as FVTOCI.

Fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”)

By default, all other financial assets are measured subsequently at FVTPL, which includes amounts receivable from concentrate sales.

Classification – financial liabilities

Financial liabilities that are not contingent consideration of an acquirer in a business combination, held for trading or designated as at FVTPL, are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities at amortized cost include accounts payable, amounts due to related parties, term facility, equipment loans, and finance lease obligations.

Financial liabilities classified FVTPL include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as FVTPL. Fair value changes on financial liabilities classified as FVTPL are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company has classified share purchase warrants with an exercise price in US dollars (see Note 16) as financial liabilities at FVTPL. As these warrants are exercised, the fair value of the recorded warrant liability on date of exercise is included in share capital along with the proceeds from the exercise. If these warrants expire, the related decrease in warrant liability is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The Company has no hedging arrangements and does not apply hedge accounting.

Impairment

The Company recognizes a loss allowance for expected credit losses on its financial assets when necessary. The amount of expected credit losses is updated at each reporting period to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective financial instruments.

Share capital