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First Majestic Produces 6.3 Million Silver Equivalent Ounces in First Quarter

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First Majestic Produces 6.3 Million Silver Equivalent Ounces in First Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSX:FR) announces total production in the first quarter of 2019 reached 6.3 million silver equivalent ounces. Total production consisted of 3.3 million ounces of silver, 32,037 ounces of gold, 2.7 million pounds of lead and 1.3 million pounds of zinc.  

 

“We had a solid start to 2019 with first quarter production totaling 6.3 million silver equivalent ounces,” said Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO. “Pure silver production increased 2% to 3.3 million ounces as a result of higher grades at the San Dimas and La Encantada mines. The commissioning progress of the new La Encantada roaster improved in the month of March but remained below throughput guidance for the full quarter. Nevertheless, La Encantada recorded a significant 60% increase in silver production in the quarter due to higher grades and tonnes processed. Finally, we continue to expect our investments in new innovations such as high-intensity grinding and microbubbles to begin to bear fruit in the second half of 2019 with higher recoveries and production at the Santa Elena, La Encantada and La Parrilla operations.

 

PRODUCTION TABLE

 

  Q1 Q1 Y/Y Q4 Q/Q
2019 2018 Change 2018 Change
Ore processed/tonnes milled 831,261 809,775 3% 850,272 -2%
Total production – ounces of silver eqv. 6,273,677 3,879,678 62% 6,485,761 -3%
Silver ounces produced 3,331,388 2,167,030 54% 3,250,816 2%
Gold ounces produced 32,037 15,887 102% 34,487 -7%
Pounds of lead produced 2,661,088 4,448,378 -40% 3,294,360 -19%
Pounds of zinc produced 1,265,438 1,611,699 -21% 1,466,812 -14%

 

QUARTERLY REVIEW

 

Total ore processed during the quarter at the Company’s mines amounted to 831,261 tonnes, representing a 2% decrease compared to the previous quarter. The slight decrease in tonnes processed compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to the Company’s decision to reduce throughput at its two concentrate plants, La Parrilla and Del Toro, offset by a 30% increase of tonnes processed at La Encantada.

 

Consolidated silver grades in the quarter averaged 150 g/t compared to 144 g/t in the previous quarter. This 4% increase was primarily the result of higher grades at San Dimas and La Encantada. Consolidated gold grades averaged 1.26 g/t compared to 1.31 g/t in the prior quarter representing a 4% decrease due to lower underground grades at Santa Elena.   

 

Consolidated silver and gold recoveries averaged 83% and 96%, respectively, and consistent with the previous quarter. The Company continues to expect further improvements in recoveries associated with the installation of the microbubble flotation cells at La Parrilla and the high-intensity grinding (“HIG”) mills at Santa Elena and La Encantada in 2019.

 

MINE BY MINE PRODUCTION TABLE

 

 

Mine Ore
Processed
Tonnes
per Day
Silver Oz
Produced
Gold Oz
Produced
Pounds of
Lead
Pounds of
Zinc
Equivalent
Silver Ounces
San Dimas 163,264 1,814 1,404,454 21,095 3,172,270
Santa Elena 219,941 2,444 587,195 9,735 1,403,364
La Encantada 269,611 2,996 720,959 33 723,699
San Martin 62,148 691 331,539 1,069 421,091
La Parrilla 91,158 1,013 219,485 82 1,946,096 1,265,438 441,095
Del Toro 25,138 279 67,757 23 714,992 112,158
Total 831,261 9,236 3,331,388 32,037 2,661,088 1,265,438 6,273,677

 

*Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.

*The following prices were used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces: Silver: $15.57 per ounce; Gold: $1,304 per ounce; Lead: $0.92 per pound; Zinc: $1.23 per pound.

 

At the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:

 

  • During the quarter, San Dimas produced 1,404,454 ounces of silver and 21,095 ounces of gold for a total production of 3,172,270 silver equivalent ounces, reflecting a 1% increase compared to the prior quarter.
  • The mill processed a total of 163,264 tonnes with average silver and gold grades of 287 g/t and 4.18 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold grades improved 10% and 8%, respectively, compared to the prior quarter due to higher grades in the Victoria and Jessica areas along with improvements in mine dilution controls.
  • Silver and gold recoveries averaged 93% and 96%, respectively, during the quarter.

 

At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:

 

  • During the quarter, Santa Elena produced 587,195 ounces of silver and 9,735 ounces of gold for a total production of 1,403,364 silver equivalent ounces, reflecting a 12% decrease compared to the prior quarter primarily due to lower underground gold grades.
  • The mill processed a total of 219,941 tonnes, consisting of 136,984 tonnes of underground ore and 82,957 tonnes from the above ground heap leach pad.
  • Silver and gold grades from underground ore averaged 121 g/t and 1.87 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold grades from the above ground heap leach pad averaged 47 g/t and 0.78 g/t, respectively.
  • Silver and gold recoveries averaged 89% and 95%, respectively, during the quarter.
  • The Company is planning to convert Santa Elena from diesel power to liquid natural gas (“LNG”) generated power by the end of the year. This transition is expected to substantially reduce energy costs.
  • The installation of the HIG mill and related auxiliary facilities were approximately 70% complete at the end of March. Concrete foundations and buildings for the electrical control room and motor control center were completed during the quarter. The HIG mill motor and water flow metres were delivered to site and are expected to be installed in April. The project remains on time with commissioning activities to begin in the second quarter.  

 

At the La Encantada Silver Mine:

 

  • During the quarter, silver production reached 720,959 ounces representing a 60% increase from the previous quarter. The increase in silver production was primarily due to a 14% increase in silver grades, 8% increase in recoveries and a 30% increase in tonnes milled compared to the previous quarter.
  • Silver grades and recoveries during the quarter averaged 126 g/t and 66%, respectively.
  • Production from the San Javier and La Prieta sub-level caving areas as well as the 660 area produced 118,043 tonnes with an average silver grade of 118 g/t, or approximately 44% of total quarterly production.
  • Commissioning activities for the roaster continued throughout the first quarter with the circuit processing a total of 8,686 tonnes of tailings material (912 tonnes in January, 999 tonnes in February and 6,775 tonnes in March) in several production campaigns. Silver grades and recoveries averaged 100 g/t and 65%, respectively. Commissioning activities will continue throughout the second quarter with additional modifications to optimize the material discharge area and to control the amount of ultra fine particles reporting to the dust collectors. Throughput is expected to continue to ramp up as system modifications are completed.

 

At the San Martin Silver Mine:

 

  • During the quarter, San Martin produced 331,539 ounces of silver and 1,069 ounces of gold for a total production of 421,091 silver equivalent ounces, reflecting an 18% decrease compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in production was primarily attributed to lower silver grades and throughput being sourced from the Rosario mine.
  • Silver grades and recoveries averaged 187 g/t and 89%, respectively, during the quarter. In addition, gold grades and recoveries averaged 0.58 g/t and 93%, respectively.

 

At the La Parrilla Silver Mine:

 

  • During the quarter, the flotation circuit processed 72,249 tonnes (803 tpd) with an average silver grade of 114 g/t and a 75% recovery while the cyanidation circuit processed 18,909 tonnes (210 tpd) with an average silver grade of 54 g/t and a 62% recovery for total production of 441,095 silver equivalent ounces.
  • Due to limited underground oxide resources, the cyanidation circuit was retrofitted in January to reprocess the tailings from the flotation circuit as a means to improve overall silver recoveries.
  • The lead circuit processed an average lead grade of 1.8% with recoveries of 69% for total lead production of 1.9 million pounds, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous quarter.
  • The zinc circuit processed an average zinc grade of 1.6% with recoveries of 48% for total zinc production of 1.3 million pounds, representing a 14% decrease compared to the previous quarter.
  • The microbubble flotation columns, which are designed to increase metallurgical recoveries, are expected to be delivered and installed during the second quarter followed by commissioning activities in the third quarter.

 

At the Del Toro Silver Mine:

 

  • During the quarter, Del Toro produced a total of 112,158 silver equivalent ounces reflecting a 54% decrease compared to the prior quarter following the Company’s decision to reduce mill throughput to approximately 270 tpd in order to give the Company time to drill and develop additional resources throughout 2019.
  • Silver grades and recoveries during the quarter averaged 114 g/t and 74%, respectively.
  • Lead grades and recoveries averaged 2.1% and 61%, respectively, producing a total of 0.7 million pounds of lead representing a 52% decrease compared to the previous quarter.

 

ABOUT THE COMPANY

 

First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the La Encantada Silver Mine, the La Parrilla Silver Mine, the San Martin Silver Mine and the Del Toro Silver Mine. Production from these mines are projected to be between 14.2 to 15.8 million silver ounces or 24.7 to 27.5 million silver equivalent ounces in 2019.

 

Posted April 16, 2019

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