First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic" or the "Company")
announces that total production in the third quarter of 2020
reached 5.2 million silver equivalent ounces consisting of 3.2
million ounces of silver and 25,771 ounces of gold. Quarterly
silver and gold production increased 72% and 63%, respectively,
compared to the prior quarter following Mexico’s Ministry of
Health’s Federal Decree requiring all non-essential businesses,
including mining, to temporarily suspend activities throughout most
of April and May in response to the global pandemic. In the first
nine months of 2020, the Company produced 8.1 million ounces of
silver and 73,738 ounces of gold for a total production of 14.9
million silver equivalent ounces.
THIRD QUARTER
HIGHLIGHTS
- La Encantada
produced 978,416 silver ounces, representing a 92% increase from
the prior quarter and the second highest quarterly production since
2014. La Encantada is now expected to fully recover its lost silver
ounces due to the COVID-19 shutdown by year-end.
- San Dimas
produced 1,678,075 ounces of silver and 18,268 ounces of gold,
representing the highest quarterly silver production since
acquiring the asset in May 2018.
- Santa Elena
produced 502,375 ounces of silver and 7,428 ounces of gold,
representing an increase of 126% and 102%, respectively, compared
to the prior quarter.
- Liquid Natural Gas
(“LNG”) storage tanks were delivered and installed at Santa Elena
during the quarter. The project remains on schedule for
commissioning in Q1 2021 and is expected to significantly reduce
energy costs going forward.
- Construction of a
second portal, including the initial development of a new parallel
south ramp, at Santa Elena’s Ermitaño project was completed during
the third quarter.
- At the end of the
third quarter, 26 exploration drill rigs were active across the
Company’s mines and projects consisting of 14 rigs at San Dimas,
eight rigs at Santa Elena, two rigs at La Encantada and two rigs at
La Parrilla.
- Total exploration
metres planned for 2020 have been increased by 24,000 metres to a
total target of 163,000 metres for the full year.
- The Company held a
balance of $232.4 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the quarter.
“During the quarter, higher production rates
along with improved metal prices and the recent investment by Eric
Sprott resulted in significant growth of our treasury to $232
million at quarter end,” said Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO.
“At the operations, we recorded strong quarterly silver production
at both La Encantada and San Dimas due to higher milling rates and
we expect this trend will continue going forward into 2021. Santa
Elena is expected to see higher grades and milling rates in the
fourth quarter of 2020 as additional workers have recently arrived
to site to assist with increasing underground ore production. While
the COVID-19 situation has thrown many new complexities at the
business, I’m proud of our team’s overall production results and
our continued commitment towards ensuring the health and safety of
all our employees on site and within our local communities.”
PRODUCTION TABLE
|
Q3 |
Q3 |
Y/Y |
Q2 |
Q/Q |
2020 |
2019 |
Change |
2020 |
Change |
Ore processed/tonnes milled |
655,920 |
655,967 |
0 |
% |
333,559 |
97 |
% |
Silver
ounces produced |
3,158,866 |
3,367,740 |
-6 |
% |
1,834,575 |
72 |
% |
Gold
ounces produced |
25,771 |
35,791 |
-28 |
% |
15,764 |
63 |
% |
Silver equivalent ounces produced |
5,201,085 |
6,636,716 |
-22 |
% |
3,505,376 |
48 |
% |
QUARTERLY REVIEW
Total ore processed during the quarter at the
Company's mines amounted to 655,920 tonnes, representing a 97%
increase compared to the previous quarter. The increase in tonnes
processed compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to the
restart of all operations following the Mexico’s Ministry of
Health’s Decree requiring non-essential businesses to temporarily
suspend activities in response to the global pandemic. The Company
continues to operate within the expected levels in context of the
COVID-19 restrictions placed on vulnerable people by the Mexican
Government. As a result, the Company is increasing its number of
temporary workers and contractors to assist with production and
development activities.
Consolidated silver and gold grades in the
quarter averaged 170 g/t and 1.27 g/t, respectively, compared to
193 g/t and 1.52 g/t, respectively, in the previous quarter. The
decrease in grades were primarily due to reduced tonnages from
higher grade stopes at Santa Elena and San Dimas as mining cycles
were slowed due to limited contractor availability.
Consolidated silver and gold recoveries were
consistent averaging 88% and 96%, respectively, during the
quarter.
MINE BY MINE PRODUCTION
TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine |
Ore Processed |
Tonnes per Day |
Ag Grade (g/t) |
Au Grade (g/t) |
Ag Recovery |
Au Recovery |
Ag Oz Produced |
Au Oz Produced |
Equivalent Ag Ounces |
San Dimas |
189,918 |
2,064 |
291 |
3.11 |
95 |
% |
96 |
% |
1,678,075 |
18,268 |
3,125,662 |
Santa Elena |
204,577 |
2,224 |
83 |
1.19 |
93 |
% |
95 |
% |
502,375 |
7,428 |
1,091,026 |
La Encantada |
261,425 |
2,842 |
152 |
0.01 |
77 |
% |
90 |
% |
978,416 |
76 |
984,397 |
Total |
655,920 |
7,130 |
170 |
1.27 |
88 |
% |
96 |
% |
3,158,866 |
25,771 |
5,201,085 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*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: $24.26 per ounce, Gold: $1,909 per ounce.
At the San Dimas
Silver/Gold
Mine:
-
San Dimas recorded its highest quarterly silver production under
First Majestic’s ownership during the third quarter. The operation
produced 1,678,075 ounces of silver and 18,268 ounces of gold
representing a 52% increase in each metal compared to the prior
quarter for total production of 3,125,662 silver equivalent
ounces.
-
The mill processed a total of 189,918 tonnes with average silver
and gold grades of 291 g/t and 3.11 g/t, respectively.
-
Silver and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 95% and 96%,
respectively.
-
The Central Block and Sinaloa Graben areas contributed
approximately 69% and 27%, respectively, of the total production
during the quarter. In addition, the recently rehabilitated
Tayoltita and El Cristo areas contributed approximately 4% of total
production in the quarter.
-
A new contractor camp for over 100 workers is being constructed at
San Dimas to support the high-intensity grinding (“HIG”) mill
installation and plant modernization programs. Demolition work and
new process piping runs have continued throughout the quarter,
however, due to current COVID-19 restrictions the project
completion date has been extended to the second half of 2021.
-
A total of 14 drill rigs, consisting of three surface rigs and 11
underground rigs, were active at the end of the quarter.
-
The Company is expecting to release an updated NI 43-101 Technical
Report on San Dimas before the end of the year.
At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold
Mine:
-
During the quarter, Santa Elena produced 502,375 ounces of silver
and 7,428 ounces of gold representing an increase of 126% and 102%,
respectively, compared to the prior quarter for total production of
1,091,026 silver equivalent ounces.
-
The mill processed a total of 204,577 tonnes, consisting of 133,108
tonnes of underground ore and 71,469 tonnes from the above ground
heap leach pad.
-
Silver and gold grades from underground ore averaged 109 g/t and
1.49 g/t, respectively, while silver and gold grades from the above
ground heap leach pad averaged 34 g/t and 0.61 g/t,
respectively.
-
Silver and gold recoveries averaged 93% and 95%, respectively,
during the quarter.
-
Development and construction activities at the Ermitaño project
accelerated during the quarter with the completion of additional
surface and earthwork activities. The Company also began the
construction of the east portal and parallel south ramp that will
be used to reduce future traffic congestion and serve as a
ventilation circuit.
-
The Company is preparing for the development of five levels in the
high-grade portion of the Ermitaño ore body with approximately 155
metres remaining to be completed to reach the first level access
point. This area is expected to be reached in November followed by
the development of the upper and lower levels of the first mining
block. Initial limited production from the vein is expected to
begin by mid-2021.
-
The storage tanks for the new LNG plant were delivered and
installed during the quarter. Generators are expected to be
installed by the end of October and all electrical tie-ins will be
completed prior to testing by year-end. The new LNG facility is
expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2021.
-
A total of eight drill rigs, consisting of five surface rigs and
three underground rigs, were active at the end of the quarter.
-
The Company is expecting to release an updated NI 43-101 Technical
Report on Santa Elena in the first quarter of 2021.
At the La Encantada Silver
Mine:
-
During the quarter, La Encantada processed 261,425 tonnes of ore
and produced 978,416 ounces of silver, or approximately 92% above
the previous quarter and the second highest quarterly production
since 2014.
-
Silver grades and recoveries during the quarter averaged 152 g/t
and 77%, respectively.
-
Caving production from the San Javier and La Prieta areas
contributed approximately 73% of the total silver production during
the quarter. The Company anticipates continued strong production
rates from these caving areas for the remainder of the year. As a
result, La Encantada is now expected to fully recover its lost
silver ounces from the recent COVID-19 shutdown by year-end.
-
The mill modernization project designed to improve processing
efficiencies is expected to accelerate in the fourth quarter with
the installation of new scrubbers for the foundry, main gear
replacement and new impellers for two thickener tanks, filter press
upgrades and improvements to the electrical control room.
-
A total of two drill rigs, consisting of one surface rig and one
underground rig, were active at the end of the quarter.
Q3
EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT
The Company is planning to release its third
quarter 2020 unaudited financial results on Thursday, November 5,
2020.
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 and the La Encantada Silver
Mine. Production from these mines are projected to be between 11.0
to 11.7 million silver ounces or 21.4 to 22.9 million silver
equivalent ounces in 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact
info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com
or call our toll-free number 1.866.529.2807.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP."signed"Keith Neumeyer,
President & CEO
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking
Statements
This press release contains “forward‐looking
information” and "forward-looking statements” under applicable
Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, “forward‐looking
statements”). These statements relate to future events or the
Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities
that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts
not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of
management's experience and perception of historical trends,
current conditions and expected future developments.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements with respect to: the Company’s business strategy; future
planning processes; commercial mining operations; cash flow;
budgets; the timing and amount of estimated future production;
recovery rates; mine plans and mine life; the future price of
silver and other metals; costs of production; costs and timing of
the development of new deposits; capital projects and exploration
activities and the possible results thereof. Assumptions may
prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from
those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As
such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon
guidance and forward-looking statements as there can be no
assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which
they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of
historical fact may be forward‐looking statements. Statements
concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral
resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward‐looking
statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the
mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is
developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral
resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements
reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the
mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that
express or involve discussions with respect to predictions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future
events or performance (often, but not always, using words or
phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”,
“estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”,
“forecast”, “potential”, “target”, “intend”, “could”, “might”,
“should”, “believe” and similar expressions) are not statements of
historical fact and may be “forward‐looking statements”.
Actual results may vary from forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:
the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19, and any
other pandemics on our operations and workforce, and the effects on
global economies and society, risks related to the integration of
acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions
of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans
continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore
reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant,
equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations;
accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities;
changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable
legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals
or financing or in the completion of development or construction
activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional
capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation
expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance
coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled
"Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's most
recent Annual Information Form, available on www.sedar.com, and
Form 40-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission in Washington, D.C. Although First Majestic
has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
The Company believes that the expectations
reflected in these forward‐looking statements are reasonable, but
no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be
correct and such forward‐looking statements included herein should
not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the
date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any
obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as
required by applicable laws.
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