FR-T First Majestic Produces 3.8 Million Silver Eqv. Ounces in Q2'15
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2015) - First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic" or the "Company") (TSX:FR)(NYSE:AG)(FRANKFURT:FMV)(BVM:AG) is pleased to announce that total production at its five operating silver mines in Mexico for the second quarter ending June 30, 2015 reached 3,802,558 equivalent ounces of silver, relatively unchanged compared to the same quarter in 2014.
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO of First Majestic, states, "During the first half of 2015, we produced 7.7 million silver equivalent ounces, which puts us on track of achieving our annual goal of producing between 15.3 to 17.1 million silver equivalent ounces. Production at Del Toro reached a record 2.5 million silver equivalent ounces in the first half of this year, representing a 46% increase compared to the first half of 2014. This substantial increase is primarily due to the Company's decision in mid-2014 to reconfigure the plant in order to process 100% of the ore through flotation."
"During the second quarter, we finished the construction and installation of a new crushing and milling circuit at La Encantada which is currently in its ramp up phase," continued Mr. Neumeyer. "As a result of this expansion, we anticipate silver production in the second half of 2015 to increase significantly due to the 50% higher milling capacity at La Encantada. In addition, improvements in dilution and grade control at both La Guitarra and San Martin continue to have a positive impact on the mining operations."
Consolidated Production Results:
| Q2 | Q2 | Y/Y | | Q1 | Q/Q | | | 2015 | 2014 | Change | | 2015 | Change | | | Ore processed/tonnes milled | 662,637 | 671,024 | -1 | % | 631,609 | 5 | % | | Total production - ounces of silver equivalent | 3,802,558 | 3,855,224 | -1 | % | 3,905,270 | -3 | % | | Total silver ounces produced | 2,716,503 | 3,098,218 | -12 | % | 2,776,855 | -2 | % | | Silver grade (g/t) | 182 | 212 | -14 | % | 186 | -2 | % | | Silver recovery (%) | 70 | 68 | 4 | % | 74 | -5 | % | | Pounds of lead produced | 11,078,235 | 9,131,149 | 21 | % | 11,286,880 | -2 | % | | Pounds of zinc produced | 3,824,737 | 2,637,967 | 45 | % | 6,349,692 | -40 | % | | Gold ounces produced | 3,528 | 2,801 | 26 | % | 2,970 | 19 | % |
| * | Certain amounts shown in this news release may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences. |
Quarterly Operational Review:
The total ore processed during the quarter at the Company's five operating silver mines: La Encantada, La Parrilla, Del Toro, San Martin and La Guitarra, amounted to 662,637 tonnes, relatively unchanged compared to the second quarter of the prior year and a 5% increase from the previous quarter. The increase in tonnes compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to a 13% increase in throughput rates at La Encantada.
Average silver grades in the quarter for the five mines decreased to 182 g/t compared to 212 g/t in the second quarter of 2014 and slightly decreased 2% compared with the previous quarter. Combined silver recoveries averaged 70% during the quarter, up from 68% in the same quarter of the prior year and below the first quarter average of 74%.
The Company's underground development in the second quarter consisted of 10,259 metres, a 4% increase compared to 9,828 metres completed in the previous quarter.
During the quarter, 18 diamond drill rigs were operating at the Company's five operations. The Company completed 16,268 metres of diamond drilling in the quarter compared to 5,425 metres in the prior quarter, representing a 200% increase primarily due to increased drilling at the La Encantada Silver Mine to support plans to release an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report in the fourth quarter of 2015.
The table below represents the operating parameters at each of the Company's five producing silver mines.
Mine by Mine Quarterly Production Table:
| Mine | Ore
Processed | Tonnes
per
Day | Silver
Grade
(g/t) | Silver
Recovery
% | Silver
Oz
Produced | Gold
Oz
Produced | Pounds
of
Lead | Pounds
of
Zinc | Equivalent
Silver
Ounces | | La Encantada | 189,811 | 2,086 | 178 | 56% | 602,869 | 33 | - | - | 605,299 | | La Parrilla | 178,736 | 1,964 | 142 | 76% | 620,839 | 295 | 2,043,654 | 3,824,737 | 985,107 | | Del Toro | 162,089 | 1,781 | 178 | 72% | 664,969 | 106 | 9,034,581 | - | 1,159,484 | | San Martin | 89,506 | 984 | 268 | 77% | 597,328 | 1,364 | - | - | 696,580 | | La Guitarra | 42,494 | 467 | 203 | 83% | 230,499 | 1,731 | - | - | 356,089 | | Total | 662,637 | 7,282 | 182 | 70% | 2,716,503 | 3,528 | 11,078,235 | 3,824,737 | 3,802,558 |
The following prices were used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces: Silver: $16.39 per ounce; Gold: $1,191 per ounce; Lead: $0.88 per pound; Zinc $1.00 per pound.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
For the quarter, total silver production was 602,869 silver ounces representing an 11% increase over the previous quarter primarily due to a 13% increase in processed ore.On May 31st, the commissioning of the new 12' x 24' ball mill began with a testing phase. Over a two week period, the new mill was successfully tested to ensure construction and mechanical integrity. On June 14th, mine ore was introduced into the system and initial silver production began using the new mill.The ramp up to 3,000 tpd remains on schedule and is expected to be achieved before the end of August. Mine developments in the San Javier breccia, Milagros breccia and 310 ore body have been prepared for initial production to begin in the third quarter. These new production areas will utilize a variant of sub-level caving which is a low cost bulk mining method typically used in large tonnage deposits.A total of 2,021 metres of underground development were completed in the second quarter compared to 2,989 metres of development in the previous quarter.Five drill rigs consisting of four underground and one on surface were active at La Encantada during the quarter. A total of 5,309 metres of exploration drilling was completed in the second quarter compared to 828 metres of drilling in the previous quarter. The Company anticipates the release of an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report by the end of the fourth quarter.At the La Parrilla Silver Mine:
During the quarter, the flotation circuit processed 89,241 tonnes with an average silver grade of 167 g/t and an 87% recovery while the cyanidation circuit processed 89,495 tonnes with an average silver grade of 116 g/t and a 61% recovery.The lead circuit processed an average lead grade of 1.4% with recoveries of 75% for total lead production of 2,043,654 lbs, representing a 25% increase compared to the previous quarter. The increase in lead production was primarily attributed to a 23% increase in recoveries due to higher concentrations of galena in the ore feed.The zinc circuit processed an average zinc grade of 2.6% with recoveries of 74% for total zinc production of 3,824,737 lbs, representing a 40% decrease compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in zinc production was primarily due to a return to normal operating grades after encountering exceptionally high zinc grades within the Vacas mine in the first quarter.During the quarter, an additional 163 metres were completed at the underground ore haulage level 11. To date, a total of 2.4 kilometres have been completed on the 5.0 kilometre electrical rail system project.Underground development completed in the quarter totaled 1,901 metres compared with 2,077 metres developed in the previous quarter.Four underground drill rigs were active within the La Parrilla property during the quarter. A total of 4,356 metres were drilled in the second quarter compared to 1,437 metres in the previous quarter.At the Del Toro Silver Mine:
For the quarter, Del Toro produced a total of 1,159,484 silver equivalent ounces representing a 13% decrease compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in total production was primarily due to a 16% decrease in silver grades and an 8% decrease in silver recoveries, however, offset by a 3% increase in throughput.Lead grades and recoveries averaged 3.9% and 65%, respectively, producing a total of 9,034,581 pounds of lead, representing a 6% decrease compared to the previous quarter.Underground development completed in the quarter totaled 1,813 metres compared with 1,686 metres developed in the previous quarter.Four drill rigs consisting of three underground and one on surface were active in the second quarter at Del Toro. Total exploration metres drilled in the quarter amounted to 5,200 metres compared to 2,285 metres drilled in the previous quarter.At the San Martin Silver Mine:
During the quarter, San Martin produced 597,328 silver ounces and 1,364 ounces of gold for a total quarterly production of 696,580 silver equivalent ounces. This represents a 4% increase in silver production and a 10% decrease in gold production compared to the previous quarter.Underground development completed in the second quarter totaled 2,208 metres compared with 2,010 metres of development in the previous quarter.Three underground drill rigs were active within the San Martin property during the quarter. Total metres drilled in the second quarter amounted to 833 metres compared to 266 metres of drilling in the previous quarter.At the La Guitarra Silver Mine:
During the quarter, La Guitarra produced 230,499 silver ounces and 1,731 gold ounces for a total quarterly production of 356,089 silver equivalent ounces. This represents a 33% increase in total production compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a 27% increase in silver grades and a 94% increase in gold grades. Improvements in dilution and grade control have continued to support the increase of silver and gold grades.The 800 metre underground drift to access the Nazareno area began in May and had advanced a total of 176 metres by the end of the quarter. Development of this drift is expected to be completed by the end of November.Mine production within the El Coloso area delivered 61% of total throughput during the quarter. The Company is working towards achieving 100% of production from the El Coloso area which will include the Nazareno area once the underground drift is completed.A total of 2,316 metres of development were completed in the second quarter compared to 1,066 metres of development in the previous quarter.Two underground drill rigs were active in the second quarter within the La Guitarra property. Total metres drilled in the quarter amounted to 569 metres compared to 609 metres drilled in the previous quarter.First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets and the pursuit through acquisition of additional mineral assets which contribute to the Company achieving its corporate growth objectives.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
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