Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR) (NYSE: EXK) reports production of 1,073,724 silver ounces (oz) and 11,166 gold oz in Q2, 2021, for silver equivalent production of 2.0 million oz at an 80:1 silver:gold ratio. Production continues to outpace the 2021 production guidance of 6.1-7.1 million silver equivalent ounces, totaling 3.9 million AgEq oz for the 6 months ended June 30, 2021.
Quarterly production increased significantly compared to Q2, 2020, when mining operations were temporarily suspended as mandated by the Mexican government to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 to late May 2020.
2021 Second Quarter Highlights
Dan Dickson, Endeavour CEO, commented, “I am excited to lead the Endeavour team into the Company’s next chapter. I want to commend our management and employees who have professionally navigated the global pandemic with care and understanding for our fellow workers, business partners and communities. As an organization, our goal is to be a leader in our communities while delivering safe, sustainable production.”
In Q2, Endeavour delivered positive results in operations and exploration and is pushing to advance the Terronera project to a development decision with the completion of the Terronera Feasibility Study in Q3, 2021.”
Mine Operations
Consolidated silver and gold production in Q2, 2021 were both higher than Q2, 2020 due to the suspension of the Guanacevi, Bolanitos and El Compas mines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Q2, 2020. Q2, 2021 production slightly exceeded plan as higher throughput at each operation contributed to the higher production.
Guanacevi throughput exceeded plan and was the highest quarterly throughput since 2014 as operations continued to outperform. Mining the new higher grade El Curse orebodies has led to significantly improved grades and mine plan flexibility. Additionally, supplies of local third-party ores continued to supplement mine production, amounting to 10% of quarterly throughput, and contributed to the higher ore grades.
Bolanitos and El Compas processed tonnes, were all higher compared to plan, partly offset by slightly lower grades due to normal variations in the ore body. It is expected that grades will align with planned grades over the course of the year. As previously disclosed by the Company (see EDR news release dated January 7, 2021), the existing reserve at El Compas is limited and sufficient to continue mining until mid-2021. Management is currently assessing alternatives, including temporary closure.
COVID-19 pandemic remains relevant in Mexico, and at the Company’s business locations, process and protocols remain in place to ensure staff and workers as well as our communities remain as safe as possible. Vaccination programs are advancing in Mexico to allow a return of a new normal in the second half of this year.
Production Highlights for Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Three Months Ended June 30 | Q2 2021 Highlights | Six Months Ended June 30 | ||||
2021 | 2020 | % Change | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |
242,018 | 114,120 | 112% | Throughput (tonnes) | 451,471 | 313,447 | 44% |
1,073,724 | 596,545 | 80% | Silver ounces produced | 2,121,824 | 1,454,204 | 46% |
11,166 | 5,817 | 92% | Gold ounces produced | 22,275 | 14,293 | 56% |
1,062,267 | 590,618 | 80% | Payable silver ounces produced | 2,098,977 | 1,440,409 | 46% |
10,955 | 5,717 | 92% | Payable gold ounces produced | 21,849 | 14,037 | 56% |
1,967,004 | 1,061,905 | 85% | Silver equivalent ounces produced(1) | 3,903,824 | 2,597,644 | 50% |
1,120,266 | 634,839 | 76% | Silver ounces sold | 1,743,645 | 1,300,339 | 34% |
9,810 | 5,218 | 88% | Gold ounces sold | 20,473 | 12,672 | 62% |
(1) Silver equivalent ounces calculated using 80:1 ratio.
Production Tables for Second Quarter, 2021 by Mine (1)
Production | Tonnes | Tonnes | Grade | Grade | Recovery | Recovery | Silver | Gold |
by mine | Produced | per day | Ag gpt(1) | Au gpt(1) | Ag % | Au % | Oz | Oz |
Guanaceví | 111,893 | 1,230 | 308 | 0.98 | 84.8% | 87.5% | 939,241 | 3,084 |
Bolañitos | 107,912 | 1,186 | 39 | 2.14 | 88.7% | 91.0% | 120,044 | 6,753 |
El Compas | 22,213 | 244 | 30 | 2.45 | 67.4% | 76.0% | 14,439 | 1,329 |
Consolidated | 242,018 | 2,660 | 163 | 1.63 | 84.9% | 87.9% | 1,073,724 | 11,166 |
(1) gpt = grams per tonne
Production Tables for Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 by Mine (1)
Production | Tonnes | Tonnes | Grade | Grade | Recovery | Recovery | Silver | Gold |
by mine | Produced | per day | Ag gpt(1) | Au gpt(1) | Ag % | Au % | Oz | Oz |
Guanaceví | 200,525 | 1,102 | 335 | 1.01 | 86.0% | 89.5% | 1,857,458 | 5,827 |
Bolañitos | 205,604 | 1,130 | 39 | 2.15 | 87.8% | 91.0% | 226,271 | 12,935 |
El Compas | 45,342 | 249 | 39 | 3.30 | 67.0% | 73.0% | 38,095 | 3,513 |
Consolidated | 451,471 | 2,481 | 170 | 1.76 | 85.8% | 87.2% | 2,121,824 | 22,275 |
(2) gpt = grams per tonne
Paloma Drill Results
Endeavour drilling has confirmed widespread alteration and low grade gold mineralization at its Paloma project. The Paloma project is a high-sulphidation, epithermal-style hydrothermal system located in the Chilean Miocene deposit belt, 180 kilometers southeast of the city of Calama, 5,000 metres above sea level. Endeavour has an option to acquire up to 70% ownership of 5,100 hectares from Compañía Minera del Pacifico.
To date, Endeavour completed 5,945 metres of diamond drilling in 13 drill holes. Highlights include 0.4 grams per tonne of gold over 46 metres true width, however it is interpreted that the drilling did not reach the core of the system. The exploration team is currently analyzing the drill results to develop the next phase drill program to test for the possibility of higher grade mineralization.
Management Appointment
Endeavour Silver is pleased to announce that Galina Meleger has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Investor Relations effective July 15th, 2021. Galina has been with Endeavour Silver since 2017 and brings extensive knowledge and leadership to her role with a strong understanding of business goals and a global investor network. Galina Meleger has over 15 years’ experience in the resource sector, in the capacity of investor relations, corporate communications and more recently ESG. During 2021, Galina was the recipient of several industry awards including the “Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations” from CIRI (Canadian Investor Relations Institute) and the “30 under 40” which honors the most talented individuals in the investor relations community from NIRI (National Investor Relations Institute). Galina’s career history includes successful and highly regarded companies, with international listings, including, Newmarket Gold and then subsequently Kirkland Lake Gold, KGHM, and Copper Mountain Mining Corporation.
Qualified Person and QA/QC
Dale Mah, P.Geo., Vice President Corporate Development of Endeavour Silver, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. A Quality Control sampling program of reference standards, blanks and duplicates has been instituted to monitor the integrity of all assay results. All samples are split at the local field office and shipped to SGS Labs, where they are dried, crushed, split and 250 gram pulp samples are prepared for analysis. Gold is determined by fire assay with an atomic absorption (AAS) finish and silver by aqua regia digestion with ICP finish, over-limits by fire assay and gravimetric finish.
About Endeavour Silver
Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico and Chile to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.
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