MONTREAL, Jan. 10,
2023 /CNW Telbec/ - Aya
Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (OTCQX: AYASF)
("Aya" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce its fourth
quarter and annual silver production results at the Zgounder Silver
Mine in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Q4-2022 Quarter Production
Highlights
- Silver ("Ag") production of 661,621 ounces ("oz") in Q4-2022, a
52.5% increase compared with Q4-2021
- Processed 63,283 tonnes ("t") of ore at a head grade of 364
grams per tonne ("g/t"), a 46.8% increase in head grade compared
with Q4-2021
- Silver recovery of 89.9% in Q4-2022, a 7.5% increase compared
with Q4-2021
- Combined mill availability of 88.8% in Q4-2022
- Mine production of 80,426 t of ore in Q4-2022, a 28.4% increase
compared with Q4-2021
2022 Annual Production
Highlights
- Silver production of 1,880,707 oz in 2022, a 17.5% increase
compared with 2021, slightly above guidance
- Processed 254,976 t of ore, at 265 g/t in 2022; a 13.6%
increase in tonnes processed compared with 2021
- Combined silver recovery of 86.6% in 2022, a 4.5% increase
compared with 2021
- Combined mill availability of 91.7% in 2022
- Mine production of 283,090 t of ore in 2022, a 29.3% increase
compared with 2021
"2022 was another record-breaking year at Zgounder with our
mining operations performing ahead of guidance in Q4-2022," said
Benoit La Salle, President &
CEO. "It was also a significant year for mine development and
infrastructure buildout, which is critical to the Zgounder mine
expansion and provided access to new stopes at the "1950m" mine level. An expanded drill exploration
program at both Zgounder and Boumadine will be conducted during
2023 with an objective of providing significant growth and
delivering value to all stakeholders."
Q4-2022 and 2022 Annual Production
Update
Key production
metrics
|
Q4-2022*
|
FY-2022*
|
Tonnes
processed
|
63,283
|
254,976
|
Average grade (g/t
Ag)
|
364
|
265
|
Silver ingots produced
(oz)
|
327,625
|
855,351
|
Silver in concentrate
for sale produced (oz)
|
333,996
|
1,025,356
|
Total silver produced
(oz)
|
661,621
|
1,880,707
|
|
*2022 numbers are
preliminary and are subject to final adjustment.
|
|
On-going mine development is providing access to new levels with
mill head grade expected to stabilize in 2023. Nonetheless grade
variation on a quarterly basis is expected, especially in high
grade zones, which is an intrinsic characteristic of the deposit.
In 2022, the annual head grade of 265 g/t was inline with guidance
(264 g/t), which improves confidence in the mine plan moving
forward.
Improved mine and mill throughput and silver recovery resulted
in record annual production of 1,880,707 oz in 2022, which is ahead
of 2022 guidance and a 17.5% increase compared with 2021.
Mill recoveries improved in 2022 and reached 89.9% in Q4-2022
due to continuous efforts by our operations team. This achievement
by the operations teams adds to our confidence in ramping up the
new processing plant once it is built. The flotation mill was shut
down for maintenance for six days during December 2022 to ensure a solid start to the
2023.
Mine production reached a record of 80,426 t, or 874 tpd for the
quarter and 776 tpd for the year. Mine ramp up is expected to
accelerate in Q2-2023 to build inventory for the expansion as new
mining equipment are expected to be delivered onsite throughout
2023.
About Aya
Gold & Silver Inc.
Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a
rapidly growing, Canada-based
silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the
high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and is exploring its properties
along the prospective South-Atlas Fault, several of which have
hosted past-producing mines and historical resources. Aya's
Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit Gold Project
in Mauritania, which is being
advanced to feasibility.
Aya's management team has been focused on maximizing shareholder
value by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its operations,
governance, and financial growth plans.
For additional information, please visit Aya's website at
www.ayagoldsilver.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that constitute
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable
securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which reflects
management's expectations regarding Aya's future growth and
business prospects (including the timing and development of new
deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other
opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects",
"objective", "significant", "deliver", "plan", "scheduled",
"believe", "intend", "ability to" and similar expressions or
statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could",
"would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be
achieved, have been used to identify such forward-looking
information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press
release include, but are not limited to, statements and information
with respect to the exploration and development potential of
Zgounder and the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources into
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, future opportunities for
enhancing development at Zgounder, and timing for the release of
the Company's disclosure in connection with the foregoing. Although
the forward-looking information contained in this press release
reflect management's current beliefs based upon information
currently available to management and based upon what management
believes to be reasonable assumptions, Aya cannot be certain that
actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking
information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon
assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of
its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of future
developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant
but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include,
among other things, the closing and timing of financing, the
ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the
presence of artisanal miners, obtaining regulatory permits for on
site work, importing goods and machinery and employment permits,
the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates
(including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade
estimates), the price of silver, the price of gold, exchange rates,
fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated
future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Aya
cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such
forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking
statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in
exploration and development of mineral properties, including
government approvals and permitting, changes in economic
conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver gold and other
key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to,
throughput and recoveries being affected by metallurgical
characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution
delays, many of which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as
other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in
Aya's 2021 Annual Information Form dated June 16, 2022, and in other filings of Aya with
securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Aya does not undertake any obligation to update
forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these
plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change.
Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to
sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All
references to Aya include its subsidiaries unless the context
requires otherwise.
SOURCE Aya Gold & Silver
Inc