Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) reports production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 from its four operating mines in the Americas and West Africa. For the full year 2022, the Company produced 259,427 ounces of gold and 6,907,275 ounces of silver or 401,878 gold equivalent1 ounces. All references to dollar amounts in this news release are expressed in US dollars.
2022 Consolidated Production Highlights
All production results are in line with the mining sequence and Mineral Reserves estimates.
2023 Consolidated Production Guidance Highlights
Notes:
2022 Consolidated Operating Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2022 | Full Year 2022 | |||||||||
Lindero, Argentina |
San Jose, Mexico |
Yaramoko, Burkina Faso |
Caylloma, Peru |
Consolidated | Lindero, Argentina |
San Jose, Mexico |
Yaramoko, Burkina Faso |
Caylloma, Peru |
Consolidated | |
OPERATIONAL FIGURES | ||||||||||
Tonnes milled | 259,500 | 142,694 | 138,491 | 1,029,590 | 546,651 | 546,186 | ||||
Average tpd milled | 2,883 | 1,568 | 1,556 | 2,925 | 1,523 | 1,539 | ||||
Ore placed on pad (t) | 1,334,509 | 5,498,064 | ||||||||
SILVER1 | ||||||||||
Grade (g/t) | 194 | 75 | 191 | 80 | ||||||
Recovery (%) | 91.1 | 81.4 | 91.4 | 81.3 | ||||||
Production (oz) | 1,473,627 | 273,119 | 1,746,746 | 5,762,562 | 1,144,713 | 6,907,275 | ||||
GOLD2 | ||||||||||
Grade (g/t) | 0.80 | 1.13 | 6.45 | 0.12 | 0.81 | 1.14 | 6.37 | 0.14 | ||
Recovery (%) | 89.8 | 97.6 | 22.0 | 90.4 | 97.5 | 31.8 | ||||
Production (oz) | 29,301 | 8,499 | 26,190 | 122 | 64,112 | 118,418 | 34,124 | 106,108 | 777 | 259,427 |
LEAD | ||||||||||
Grade (%) | 3.22 | 3.27 | ||||||||
Recovery (%) | 88.9 | 87.8 | ||||||||
Production (lbs) | 8,734,715 | 8,734,715 | 34,588,324 | 34,588,324 | ||||||
ZINC | ||||||||||
Grade (%) | 4.63 | 4.32 | ||||||||
Recovery (%) | 89.0 | 88.8 | ||||||||
Production (lbs) | 12,575,167 | 12,575,167 | 46,175,821 | 46,175,821 |
Notes:
Latin America: Consistent performance results in solid production for all metals, meeting annual guidance
The fourth quarter of 2022 was Latin America’s fifth consecutive quarter of over 35,000 ounces of gold production. On a full year basis, the region achieved record gold production of 153,319 ounces. Consolidated silver production was 6.9 million ounces, achieving the higher end of annual guidance. All three mines delivered production results in line with their mining plans and Mineral Reserves estimates.
Highlights
Lindero Mine, Argentina: Record annual gold production
Gold production for the fourth quarter of 2022 totaled 29,301 ounces, a 19 percent decrease year-over-year. Lower gold production is attributed to an 8 percent decrease in tonnes and a 23 percent decrease in gold grade for ore placed on the pad, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Gold grade for the quarter was in line with the mining plan and Mineral Reserve estimate.
Mine production for the quarter was according to management’s expectations, with a total of 1.9 million tonnes of ore mined in the fourth quarter, at a strip ratio of 0.54:1.
For the full year, mine production totaled 8.6 million tonnes of ore, at a strip ratio of 0.73:1, with 5.5 million tonnes of ore placed on the pad averaging 0.81 g/t Au containing an estimated 143,203 ounces of gold, in line with the management’s mining and production plan. Throughout 2022, management implemented various high impact optimization initiatives to capture efficiencies, allowing the operation to offset some of the cost increases in primary consumables. Initiatives included improving the efficiency of the SART plant, subsequently decreasing consumption of fresh make-up cyanide and sulfuric acid; and the optimization of the mine fleet´s trucking distance, reducing diesel consumption and improving productivity. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the operation commenced a project to improve the recirculation circuit of the HPGR with the aim of reducing granulometry and improving gold recovery from ore placed on the leach pad.
Gold production for the year totaled a record 118,418 ounces, comprised of 116,191 ounces in doré and 2,227 ounces of gold-in-carbon (GIC), meeting annual guidance (refer to Fortuna news release dated January 18, 2022). In 2022, Lindero had a good reconciliation for ore sent to the leach pad with gold grades at the plant being 2 percent higher compared to the Mineral Reserve model estimate.
San Jose Mine, Mexico: Silver production achieves upper end of annual guidance
In the fourth quarter of 2022, San Jose produced 1.5 million ounces of silver and 8,499 ounces of gold, a 14 percent decrease for both metals compared to the equivalent period in 2021. The decrease is mainly due to lower head grades, albeit in line with management´s expectations based on the mining sequence and Mineral Reserve estimate.
Material mined using sublevel stopping (SLS) methods was increased in 2022, representing 35 percent of ore sent to the plant. The operation plans for the SLS contribution to reach 60 percent of total ore production in 2023. In the second quarter of 2022, a new underground shotcrete plant was commissioned which reduced mining cycles and partially offset some of the cost increases due to higher haulage distances as the mine deepens.
Silver and gold production for 2022 totaled 5.8 million ounces, the upper end of annual guidance, and 34,124 ounces, the mid-point of annual guidance, respectively. Average head grades for silver and gold for the year were 191 g/t Ag and 1.14 g/t Au, respectively.
Caylloma Mine, Peru: Strong silver, lead and zinc production exceeds upper range of annual guidance
In the fourth quarter of 2022, Caylloma produced 273,119 ounces of silver, a 4 percent increase year-over-year primarily due to higher grades mined during the period.
Silver production in 2022 totaled 1.14 million ounces, exceeding the upper end of annual guidance range.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, zinc production was 12.6 million pounds, a 10 percent increase over the comparable period in 2021. Production was mainly impacted by higher head grades and improved plant recovery. Lead production in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 8.7 million pounds, a 4 percent increase year-over-year, also attributable to higher plant recovery.
Zinc and lead production in 2022 totaled 46.2 and 34.6 million pounds, respectively; both exceeding the upper range of annual guidance. Base metal production benefitted from material mined at level 16 of the Animas vein allowing for a significant improvement in ore grade and oxide-sulfide ratios hence boosting plant recovery.
West Africa
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the West African operations continued their solid performance. Gold production at the Yaramoko Mine in Burkina Faso met the mid-point of the annual production guidance range.
At the Séguéla Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, construction activities continued as planned. The mining contractor continued its mobilization and establishment activities with the establishment of key infrastructure and the arrival on site of mining equipment. All senior operational management roles were filled and commenced work on site, with recruitment now focusing on other operational roles. First gold pour is on track for mid-2023.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso: Gold production achieved the mid-point range of annual guidance
The Yaramoko Mine produced 26,190 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter of 2022 with an average head grade of 6.45 g/t Au, which is in line with the mining sequence and Mineral Reserve estimate, and an 8 percent decrease year-over-year. Compared to the comparative period in 2021, the decrease in production was due to lower head grades. However, grades for the full year were in line with planned estimates.
Gold production in 2022 totaled 106,108 ounces achieving the mid-point of the annual guidance range.
2023 Consolidated Production and Cost Guidance
Mine | Silver (Moz) |
Gold (koz) |
Lead (Mlbs) |
Zinc (Mlbs) |
Cash Cost1,3,5,6 | AISC1,2,3,5,6 |
SILVER | ($/oz Ag Eq) | ($/oz Ag Eq) | ||||
San Jose, Mexico | 5.3 – 5.8 | 34 – 37 | – | – | 10.2 – 11.3 | 14.7 – 16.2 |
Caylloma, Peru | 1.0 – 1.1 | – | 29 – 32 | 43 – 48 | 10.4 – 11.5 | 19.0 – 21.0 |
GOLD | ($/oz Au) | ($/oz Au) | ||||
Lindero, Argentina | – | 96 – 106 | – | – | 820 – 920 | 1,430 – 1,580 |
Yaramoko, Burkina Faso | – | 92 – 102 | – | – | 960 – 1,060 | 1,550 – 1,710 |
Séguéla4, Côte d´Ivoire | – | 60 – 75 | – | – | 450 – 580 | 880 – 1,080 |
CONSOLIDATED TOTAL | 6.3 – 6.9 | 282 – 320 | 29 – 32 | 43 – 48 |
Notes:
Mine | Cash Costa,b,c | AISCa,b,c |
SILVER | ($/oz Ag Eq) | ($/oz Ag Eq) |
San Jose, Mexico | 9.30 | 14.38 |
Caylloma, Peru | 13.46 | 18.94 |
GOLD | ($/oz Au) | ($/oz Au) |
Lindero, Argentina | 617 | 1,116 |
Yaramoko, Burkina Faso | 739 | 1,317 |
2023 Guidance Outlook
Lindero Mine, Argentina
The Lindero Mine is expected to place 6.3 million tonnes of ore on the leach pad averaging 0.67 g/t Au, containing an estimated 136,100 ounces of gold. Capital investments are estimated at $42.7 million, including $30.3 million for sustaining capital expenditures, $12.1 million of capitalized stripping and $0.3 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
|
$17.5 million |
|
$7.6 million |
|
$1.2 million |
Cash cost and AISC:
San Jose Mine, Mexico
At the San Jose Mine, the Company plans to process 1.03 million tonnes of ore averaging 186 g/t Ag and 1.19 g/t Au. Silver and gold production reflect the declining grade profile of Mineral Reserves. Capital investment is estimated at $18.4 million, including $15.1 million for sustaining capital expenditures and $3.3 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
|
$8.4 million |
|
$1.7 million |
Cash cost and AISC are expected to remain in line with 2022.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso
At the Yaramoko Mine, the Company plans to process 526,088 tonnes of ore averaging 5.9 g/t Au. Capital investments are estimated at $40.8 million, including $37.4 million for sustaining capital expenditures and $3.3 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
|
$30.8 million |
|
$2.5 million |
|
$1.3 million |
|
$0.5 million |
Cash cost and AISC:
Caylloma Mine, Peru
At the Caylloma Mine, the Company plans to process 542,000 tonnes of ore averaging 73 g/t Ag, 2.86% Pb, and 4.28% Zn. Capital investments are estimated at $23.6 million, including $21.0 million for sustaining capital expenditures and $2.6 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
|
$7.1 million |
|
$3.9 million |
|
$2.7 million |
|
$1.4 million |
|
$1.1 million |
Cash cost and AISC are expected to remain in line with 2022.
Séguéla Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire
The main construction goals/milestones to be achieved towards first gold pour include:
Q1 2023:
Q2 2023:
Q3 2023:
Once production commences in mid-2023, Séguéla is expected to process 739,466 tonnes of ore averaging 3.3 g/t Au, with capital investments estimated at $22.7 million, including $18.8 million for sustaining capital expenditures and $3.9 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
|
$10.0 million |
|
$2.8 million |
|
$1.7 million |
2023 Exploration Outlook
Fortuna continues to advance its robust pipeline of Brownfields and Greenfields exploration projects in West Africa and the Americas, building on the success of the exploration programs carried out in 2022.
Brownfields Exploration
Fortuna´s consolidated Brownfields exploration budget for 2023 for its four mines and Séguéla totals $21.8 million, which includes 128,000 meters of reverse circulation, diamond core and air core exploration drilling.
Séguéla Project, Côte d’Ivoire
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the Séguéla Project is $12.2 million, which includes 87,200 meters of drilling to upgrade resource confidence and further extend the Sunbird Deposit along strike and at depth; test for further depth extensions at the Koula, Ancien and Antenna deposits; further drilling to test and infill the recent Kestral, Barana and Badior prospects (refer to Fortuna news release dated December 5, 2022) and continued generation and testing of near-mine targets.
San Jose Mine, Mexico
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the San Jose Mine is $3.3 million, which includes 5,500 meters of diamond drilling, focused on extensions to the Magdalena, Trinidad and Victoria systems, as well as work along the Taviche corridor.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the Yaramoko Mine is $3.3 million, which includes 29,200 meters of exploration drilling, testing of several surface geochemistry anomalies generated in 2022, in addition to testing strike and depth projections of the 55 Zone.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the Caylloma Mine is $2.6 million, which includes 6,560 meters of drilling to test down-dip extensions of ore shoots 1 and 3 at the Animas silver-polymetallic vein, as well as regional exploration work and target generation at the Antacollo, Santa Rosa and San Cristobal silver veins.
Lindero Mine, Argentina
The Brownfields exploration program for 2023 at the Lindero Mine of $0.3 million will be focused on reviewing the Arizaro project, located 3.5 kilometers to the southeast of the mine. Exploration at Lindero will also extend to regional prospect evaluation and portfolio reviews.
Greenfields Exploration
Reconnaissance exploration and evaluation of potential new projects will continue to be actively pursued during 2023, with a focus on new project generation and corporate growth in our active operating regions, supported by a budget of $3.9 million.
Qualified Person
Raul Espinoza, Director of Technical Services for the Company, is a Fellow member and Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM CP) and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Espinoza has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information relating to the Company´s operating mines contained in this news release and has verified the underlying data.
Paul Weedon, Senior Vice President of Exploration for Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 being a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (Membership #6001). Mr. Weedon has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information relating to exploration contained in this news release.
About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. is a Canadian precious metals mining company with four operating mines in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Mexico and Peru, and a fifth mine under construction in Côte d’Ivoire. Sustainability is integral to all our operations and relationships. We produce gold and silver and generate shared value over the long-term for our stakeholders through efficient production, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
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