Santacruz Silver (TSXV:SCZ) - 2026 Set for More Gains as Large Treasury Builds

Original Description

Interview with Arturo Préstamo Elizondo, Executive Chairman & CEO of Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/santacruz-silver-tsxvscz-strong-cash-generation-funds-debt-free-growth-8019

Recording date: 13th February 2026

Santacruz Silver Mining (TSXV:SCZ) represents a transformed investment opportunity following the elimination of all debt obligations and completion of its NASDAQ listing in January 2026. The multi-metal producer operates four mines across Bolivia and Mexico, generating substantial cash flows with an $80 million treasury position after paying $70 million in Glencore obligations and tax liabilities during 2025.

The company's debt-free, streaming-free, royalty-free capital structure directs 100% of operational cash flows to equity holders during a period of elevated silver and zinc prices. This clean balance sheet distinguishes Santacruz from leveraged competitors and producers with streaming obligations that divert metal production at below-market prices, creating immediate margin expansion as commodity prices strengthen.

Management projects 5-7% production growth from operational efficiencies independent of metal price assumptions or acquisition execution. The Zimapan mine in Mexico delivered a $2.5 million investment in flotation cell circuits that improved silver recoveries by 500 basis points, generating approximately $5 million in incremental monthly cash flow—a 20-month payback demonstrating disciplined capital allocation. The mine's advancement to Level 960 encounters wider ore bodies with silver grades of 80-90 grams per tonne and zinc content of 2.5-3.5% across the 2,800-tonne-per-day operation.

In Bolivia, the Bolivar mine is recovering from 2025 flooding through systematic dewatering infrastructure that increased capacity to over 700 litres per second—five times pre-flooding levels and nearly double peak flood conditions. Fourth quarter 2025 production showed quarter-over-quarter silver increases as access to flooded veins improves, whilst development work necessitated by the flooding discovered new high-grade veins creating unanticipated exploration upside.

Near-term production catalysts include the Soracaya project targeting full permitting by June-July 2026 with production commencement in the fourth quarter, utilizing existing Bolivian milling infrastructure for low-capital-intensity cash flow generation. The Esperanza mine at the Caballo Blanco complex approaches commercial production as the third operating mine within that group, leveraging existing infrastructure for brownfield expansion.

The Bolivian operating environment transformed following the 2025 election of President Rodrigo Paz, whose administration declared mining a strategic industry and announced constitutional reforms to encourage foreign investment. As Bolivia's largest underground mining company, Santacruz occupies a prominent position during this regulatory evolution, with improved political conditions creating potential M&A opportunities whilst reducing political risk for existing operations.

The January 2026 NASDAQ listing provides strategic access to US institutional investors and family offices, expanding the investor base beyond Canadian venture shareholders, whilst early trading data demonstrates volume improvements. US institutional capital historically applies higher valuation multiples to Latin American precious metals producers than Canadian venture markets alone.

Management employs a distinctive operational approach tracking per-tonne costs rather than conventional all-in sustaining cost metrics, maintaining five-year rolling budgets with detailed weekly mining plans to prevent short-term high-grading that compromises long-term mine life. This disciplined capital allocation framework, combined with direct executive operational involvement demonstrated through systematic site visits and hands-on crisis management during the Bolivar flooding, distinguishes the approach from volume-focused competitors.

For investors seeking exposure to silver and base metals through an established producer with near-term growth catalysts, operational leverage to metallurgical improvements, and exposure to transformative Bolivian political changes, Santacruz presents a differentiated opportunity with multiple risk mitigation factors relative to earlier-stage developers or debt-burdened producers.

View Santacruz Silver's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/santacruz-silver-mining

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