
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX:ASM) (NYSE American:ASM) (GV6: FSE) announces its third quarter 2019 production results from its Avino property near Durango, Mexico.
Consolidated Production Highlights for Q3, 2019 (Compared to Q3, 2018)
*In Q3, 2019, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.98 oz Ag, $1,472 oz Au and $2.63 lb Cu. In Q3, 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.00 oz Ag, $1,213 oz Au and $2.77 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding. |
The silver equivalent production in Q3, 2019 decreased by 19% compared to Q3, 2018. The decrease was due to the following reasons:
The expectations are for higher production in Q4 2019 as we change our feed mix to focus more on the Elena Tolosa area of the Avino Mine.
“Our Q3 2019 production results, while lower compared to the same period in 2018, were in line with our internal expectations and output remained similar to the first two quarters of 2019. This quarter’s increase in throughput and recoveries are very encouraging and are attributed to the hard work and efforts by our team in Mexico,” said David Wolfin, Avino’s President and CEO. “In addition, we are pleased with the progression of the Open Pit tailings storage work, specifically the installation of the geomembrane, which is almost complete. The newly commissioned tailings thickener has transitioned to full operation and has reduced the water content sent to the tailings facility while similarly increasing the amount of water recycled back to the processing plant. During the 4th quarter and into 2020, we are looking forward to advancing our processing plant optimization initiatives and transitioning to full mining production in the Elena Tolosa area of the Avino Mine.”
Consolidated Production Tables
Q3 2019 | |||||
Production by Mine | Tonnes Processed |
Silver Oz |
Gold Oz |
Copper Lbs |
AgEq |
Avino | 122,208 | 139,419 | 900 | 1,307,622 | 418,352 |
San Gonzalo | 17,800 | 29,568 | 194 | – | 56,203 |
Historic Above Ground Stockpiles | 62,656 | 52,941 | 354 | 74,302 | 95,665 |
Consolidated | 202,664 | 221,928 | 1,448 | 1,381,924 | 570,220 |
YTD 2019 | |||||
Production by Mine | Tonnes Processed |
Silver Oz |
Gold Oz |
Copper Lbs |
AgEq |
Avino | 319,837 | 356,626 | 2,797 | 3,269,687 | 1,160,595 |
San Gonzalo | 53,271 | 149,265 | 555 | – | 208,184 |
Historic Above Ground Stockpiles | 228,116 | 232,116 | 1,528 | 311,052 | 419,623 |
Consolidated | 601,224 | 738,007 | 4,880 | 3,580,739 | 1,788,402 |
*During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company produced 15,784 and 19,454 AgEq oz, respectively, of zinc by-product concentrate which has been included in the “San Gonzalo” production category above.
|
||||||
Q3 2019 | ||||||
Grade & Recovery by Mine | Grade Ag g/t |
Grade Au g/t |
Grade Cu % |
Recovery Ag % |
Recovery Au % |
Recovery Cu % |
Avino | 41 | 0.31 | 0.58 | 86% | 73% | 83% |
San Gonzalo | 56 | 0.41 | – | 80% | 73% | – |
Historic Above Ground Stockpiles | 47 | 0.33 | 0.14 | 56% | 54% | 39% |
Consolidated | 44 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 76% | 67% | 68% |
YTD 2019 | ||||||
Grade & Recovery by Mine | Grade Ag g/t |
Grade Au g/t |
Grade Cu % |
Recovery Ag % |
Recovery Au % |
Recovery Cu % |
Avino | 41 | 0.38 | 0.55 | 84% | 71% | 85% |
San Gonzalo | 122 | 0.46 | – | 69% | 65% | – |
Historic Above Ground Stockpiles | 57 | 0.40 | 0.17 | 55% | 53% | 36% |
Consolidated | 54 | 0.40 | 0.39 | 72% | 64% | 64% |
Avino Mine Production Highlights
Q3
2019 |
Q3**
2018 |
Quarterly
Change |
YTD
2019 |
|
Total Mill Feed (dry tonnes) | 122,208 | 85,221 | 43% | 319,837 |
Feed Grade Silver (g/t) | 41 | 57 | -28% | 41 |
Feed Grade Gold (g/t) | 0.31 | 0.54 | -42% | 0.38 |
Feed Grade Copper (%) | 0.58 | 0.53 | 10% | 0.55 |
Recovery Silver (%) | 86% | 83% | 3% | 84% |
Recovery Gold (%) | 73% | 66% | 10% | 71% |
Recovery Copper (%) | 83% | 88% | -6% | 85% |
Total Silver Produced (oz) | 139,419 | 130,320 | 7% | 356,626 |
Total Gold Produced (oz) | 900 | 982 | -8% | 2,797 |
Total Copper Produced (Lbs) | 1,307,622 | 879,430 | 49% | 3,269,687 |
Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz)* | 418,352 | 372,601 | 12% | 1,160,595 |
*In Q3, 2019, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.98 oz Ag, $1,472 oz Au and $2.63 lb Cu. In Q3, 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.00 oz Ag, $1,213 oz Au and $2.77 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding. | ||||
**The figures for Q3 2018 include San Luis processed material that was not included in the previously released Q3 2018 production table however it was reflected in the consolidated figures. |
Overall, silver equivalent production at Avino increased by 12% compared to Q3, 2018, as a result of increased copper and silver production during the quarter. Mill feed at Avino increased by 43%, which offset lower silver and gold grades of 28% and 42%, respectively. Copper grades increased by 10% compared to Q3, 2018. Silver and gold recoveries increased by 3% and 10% respectively.
San Gonzalo Production Highlights
Q3
2019 |
Q3
2018 |
Quarterly
Change |
YTD
2019 |
|
Total Mill Feed (dry tonnes) | 17,800 | 19,691 | -10% | 53,271 |
Feed Grade Silver (g/t) | 56 | 226 | -75% | 122 |
Feed Grade Gold (g/t) | 0.41 | 1.15 | -65% | 0.46 |
Recovery Silver (%) | 80% | 78% | 2% | 69% |
Recovery Gold (%) | 73% | 75% | -3% | 65% |
Total Silver Produced (oz) | 29,568 | 111,287 | -73% | 149,265 |
Total Gold Produced (oz) | 194 | 549 | -65% | 555 |
Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz)* | 56,203 | 155,990 | -64% | 208,184 |
*In Q3, 2019, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.98 oz Ag, $1,472 oz Au and $2.63 lb Cu. In Q3, 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.00 oz Ag, $1,213 oz Au and $2.77 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding. | ||||
*During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company produced 15,784 and 19,454 AgEq oz, respectively, of zinc by-product concentrate which has been included above. |
At San Gonzalo, the Company continues to process stockpiles, which have exceeded our expectations, albeit with declining silver and gold grades, which is inline with internal expectations.
Historic Above Ground Stockpiles Production Highlights
Q3
2019 |
Q3
2018 |
Quarterly
Change |
YTD
2019 |
|
Total Mill Feed (dry tonnes) | 62,656 | 88,733 | -29% | 228,116 |
Feed Grade Silver (g/t) | 47 | 62 | -25% | 57 |
Feed Grade Gold (g/t) | 0.33 | 0.45 | -28% | 0.40 |
Feed Grade Copper (%) | 0.14 | 0.15 | -9% | 0.17 |
Recovery Silver (%) | 56% | 57% | -1% | 55% |
Recovery Gold (%) | 54% | 52% | 3% | 53% |
Recovery Copper (%) | 39% | 37% | 5% | 36% |
Total Silver Produced (oz) | 52,941 | 100,544 | -47% | 232,116 |
Total Gold Produced (oz) | 354 | 673 | -47% | 1,528 |
Total Copper Produced (Lbs) | 74,302 | 112,841 | -34% | 311,052 |
Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz) calculated* | 95,665 | 175,837 | -46% | 419,623 |
*In Q3, 2019, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.98 oz Ag, $1,472 oz Au and $2.63 lb Cu. In Q3, 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.00 oz Ag, $1,213 oz Au and $2.77 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding. |
Due to the negligible cost of mining, the profit margin on this material is quite positive. We will continue to evaluate our feed and product mix to maximize profitability.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
Mill assays are performed at the Avino property’s on-site lab. Check samples are sent to SGS Labs in Durango, Mexico for verification. Gold and silver assays are performed by the fire assay method with the gravimetric finish for the concentrates and the AAS methods for copper, lead, zinc and silver for the feed grade samples. All concentrate shipments are assayed by one of the following independent third party labs: AHK, and Inspectorate in the UK and LSI in the Netherlands.
Qualified Person(s)
Peter Latta, P.Eng, MBA, Senior Technical Advisor, Avino and Jasman Yee P.Eng, Avino director, both of whom are qualified persons within the context of National Instrument 43-101 have reviewed and approved the technical data in this news release.
About Avino
Avino is a silver and gold producer with a diversified pipeline of gold, silver and base metals properties in Mexico and Canada employing close to 350 people. Avino produces from its wholly owned Avino and San Gonzalo Mines near Durango, Mexico, and is currently planning for future production at the Bralorne Gold Mine in British Columbia, Canada. The Company’s gold and silver production remains unhedged. The Company’s mission and strategy is to create shareholder value through its focus on profitable organic growth at the historic Avino Property near Durango, Mexico, and the strategic acquisition of mineral exploration and mining properties. Avino is committed to managing all business activities in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.
North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council (NSMTC) and its seven Fi... READ MORE
Osisko Mining Inc. (TSX:OSK) is pleased to announce that it has e... READ MORE
Asante Gold Corporation (CSE:ASE) (GSE:ASG) (FRANKFURT:1A9) (U.S.... READ MORE
ValOre Metals Corp. (TSX‐V: VO) (OTCQB: KVLQF) (Frankfurt: KEQ0... READ MORE
Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM) (OTCQX: WLBMF) announ... READ MORE