Sierra Metals Inc.

Thank you for standing by. This is the conference operator. Welcome to the Sierra Metals, Inc. First Quarter 2023 Consolidated Financial Results Conference Call. As a reminder, all participants are in listen-only mode and the conference is being recorded. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To join the question queue, you may press star then 1 on your telephone keypad. Should you need assistance during the conference call, you may signal an operator by pressing star then zero. I would now like to turn the conference over to John Vincic, investor relations for Sierra Metals. Please go ahead.

Good morning and thank you. I'd like to note that this earnings call contains forward-looking information that is based on the company's current expectations, estimates, and beliefs. Please review this slide and other forward-looking information contained in the company's annual information form which is publicly available on CDAR and on the company's website. Please note that all dollar amounts mentioned on today's call are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. The accompanying presentation for today's call is available for download through the webcast or from the company's webcast at sierrametals.com. This morning's press release, the financial statements, and the management discussion and analysis are also posted on our website and on CDAR. We would like to remind investors and analysts taking part in today's call and the Q&A that our focus is on the Q1 2023 results, historical performance, and the outlook for the business. And while we will provide a brief update on the strategic review process, we will not be addressing the activist shareholder situation on today's call. Our speakers on today's call are Oscar Cabrera, Chair of the Board of Directors, Ernesto Valdez, our Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Jose Fernandez-Paca, our Interim Chief Financial Officer. Following management's prepared remarks, the question and answer period will follow. And now, I would like to turn the call over to Oscar Cabrera. Oscar?

Thank you, John, and good morning, everyone. My comments today will be brief, as I will leave it to Ernesto and Jose to review the company's strong Q1 results and outlook. As Board Chair and a member of the Special Committee on Independent Directors that is undertaking the comprehensive strategic review, I would like to provide the following comments. We understand that people have been eager to receive information on the final recommendation of the Committee. The mandate was broad and the strategic review has been comprehensive. The review of strategic transaction is approaching completion. With respect to the proposed COPPA transaction, Most recently, the special committee made material inquiries of COPA regarding its operations and mine plants, but did not receive substantive information in response thereto. As a result, those discussions are not continuing. A further update will be provided when material developments arise from the special committee process and recommendations. The special committee has been closely monitoring the progress being made at the company. including the Q1 2023 results reported this morning. We are very encouraged by the operational and financial improvement and the rapid recovery from the challenges experienced last year. The Special Committee is very pleased with the operating progress reported to date, including improving safety procedures and the strong future projections. We continue to be on track to meet full year guidance. In addition, We have seen tangible progress on the 1120 permitting at Yaricocha, which is fundamental to the long-term success of the company. As a result, the special committee reaffirmed its full confidence in the management team and the plan they were implementing. We believe this management team has demonstrated both the vision and execution abilities to warrant the opportunity to continue leading the company. This is still a critical time for Sierra Metals as we deliver on our plan to return the company to its full potential. We believe it is disruptive and not in the interest of shareholders to engage in public disputes over control of the company. The board will continue to work diligently with our stakeholders with a view to represent the best interests of all, not just a certain group. The board fully supports and has directed management to continue their plans to focus on safely achieving strong operational and financial performance that will benefit all stakeholders. On today's call, other than my preceding remarks, we will not be commenting further or taking questions on the Specialist Committee's work. And as mentioned, we will not be taking questions about the activist shareholder situation. I would now like to take, like to turn the call over to Ernesto. Ernesto?