JDS Silver

About JDS Silver

JDS Silver is a specialized entity within the broader JDS Group of Companies, focusing on the acquisition and development of high-potential, near-term mining assets, particularly in western and northern Canada. The parent company, JDS Energy & Mining Inc., was founded in 2004 by Jeff Stibbard, a mining engineer with extensive experience in mine design, construction, and operations globally. Stibbard's background includes significant roles such as Mine Manager for BHP's Ekati Diamond Mine and General Manager of Mining for Albian Sands Energy Inc. His career began with hands-on roles at various Canadian mines, providing him with a practical foundation that shapes the company's operational ethos.

JDS Silver was formed in 2013 when its affiliate, JDS Resources, acquired the Silvertip Mine from Silvercorp Metals. This strategic move exemplified the company's business model: identifying valuable stranded assets and applying an efficient, 'fit-for-purpose' approach to bring them to production quickly. This strategy involves minimizing initial capital expenditure to fast-track cash flow, which can then be used to fund further expansion. JDS Silver serves the mining sector by acting as an owner-operator, taking projects from evaluation and engineering through to construction and operation. Its revenue model is based on the production and sale of concentrates from the mines it develops, such as silver, lead, and zinc.

A landmark achievement for JDS Silver was the development of the Silvertip Mine, a high-grade silver-lead-zinc deposit located in northern British Columbia. After acquiring the project, the company secured a Mines Act permit in 2015 and commenced construction. To optimize costs, JDS utilized a used processing plant purchased from the decommissioned Sa Dena Hes mine. Construction was completed in just 11 months. In 2016, JDS Silver partnered with private equity firm Denham Capital, securing US$65 million in funding to complete construction and bring the Silvertip Mine into production. By 2017, JDS Silver Holdings and the Silvertip Mine were sold to Coeur Mining for an initial consideration of US$200 million, a deal that highlighted the success of the JDS development model.