Gatos Silver Reports Q2 2024 Production Results With Record Mill Throughput and Zinc Production
July 09 2024 - 4:15PM
Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: GATO) (“Gatos Silver” or the
“Company”) today announced production results for the quarter and
six months ended June 30, 2024 at its 70%-owned Cerro Los Gatos
(“CLG”) mine in Mexico.
Dale Andres, CEO of Gatos Silver, commented: “In
the second quarter of 2024 the CLG mine delivered strong
operational results, with record zinc production and the sixth
consecutive quarterly record for mill throughput. Silver equivalent
production for the quarter was 3.88 million ounces, an increase of
18% from the second quarter of 2023, and we continue to track at
the top end of 2024 guidance.”
“Our mine debottlenecking efforts delivered a
mill throughput average of 3,240 tonnes per day, up 1% from the
first quarter of 2024 and up 11% from the second quarter of 2023,
as we advanced towards our medium-term target of sustained
throughput rates of 3,500 tonnes per day. We expect to complete an
updated life of mine plan in the third quarter of 2024 with a
target to further extend the mine life. We also increased
exploration drilling efforts during the second quarter on both near
mine targets and at the San Luis prospect located five kilometers
from the CLG mine.”
Production Results (100%
basis)
CLG comparative production highlights are
summarized below:
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
Six Months EndedJune 30, |
CLG Production (100% Basis) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Tonnes milled (dmt) |
294,869 |
|
265,342 |
|
586,983 |
|
525,770 |
|
Tonnes milled per day (dmt) |
3,240 |
|
2,916 |
|
3,225 |
|
2,905 |
|
Feed Grades |
|
|
|
|
Silver (g/t) |
273 |
|
265 |
|
279 |
|
296 |
|
Zinc (%) |
4.55 |
|
4.00 |
|
4.27 |
|
3.96 |
|
Lead (%) |
2.06 |
|
1.85 |
|
1.92 |
|
1.86 |
|
Gold (g/t) |
0.29 |
|
0.26 |
|
0.29 |
|
0.28 |
|
Contained Metal |
|
|
|
|
Silver ounces (millions) |
2.30 |
|
2.00 |
|
4.67 |
|
4.43 |
|
Zinc pounds - in zinc conc. (millions) |
19.1 |
|
14.8 |
|
34.9 |
|
28.9 |
|
Lead pounds - in lead conc. (millions) |
12.0 |
|
9.7 |
|
22.2 |
|
19.1 |
|
Gold ounces - in lead conc. (thousands) |
1.36 |
|
1.20 |
|
2.75 |
|
2.58 |
|
Silver Equivalent ounces (millions)1 |
3.88 |
|
3.30 |
|
7.58 |
|
6.99 |
|
Recoveries |
|
|
|
|
Silver - in both lead and zinc concentrates |
88.9% |
|
88.6% |
|
88.9% |
|
88.4% |
|
Zinc - in zinc concentrate |
64.6% |
|
63.5% |
|
63.1% |
|
62.8% |
|
Lead - in lead concentrate |
89.5% |
|
89.1% |
|
89.4% |
|
88.9% |
|
Gold - in lead concentrate |
48.8% |
|
53.9% |
|
50.4% |
|
54.7% |
|
1 For 2024, silver equivalent production is calculated using
prices of $23/oz silver, $1.20/lb zinc, $0.90/lb lead and $1,800/oz
gold to “convert” zinc, lead and gold production contained in
concentrate to “equivalent” silver ounces (contained metal,
multiplied by price, divided by silver price). For 2023, silver
equivalent production was calculated using prices of $22/oz silver,
$1.20/lb zinc, $0.90/lb lead and $1,700/oz gold. For comparative
purposes, the calculated silver equivalent production for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2023 would be 3.24 million ounces and
6.89 million ounces, respectively, using price assumptions for
2024.
Silver equivalent1 production for the second
quarter of 2024 was 3.88 million ounces, 18% higher than the second
quarter of 2023. Silver production was 2.30 million ounces, 15%
higher than the comparable quarter of 2023. Zinc production
increased by 29% compared with the second quarter of 2023 as a
result of higher throughput, higher grades and higher recovery
resulting in a record quarterly production of 19.1 million
pounds. Lead production and gold production increased
by 24% and 14%, respectively, compared with the second quarter of
2023 due to higher throughput and grades. We continue to expect
both silver equivalent and silver production to be in the top half
of our previously announced guidance ranges of 13.5 to 15.0 million
ounces and 8.4 to 9.2 million ounces respectively for the full year
in 2024.
The processing plant is reliably performing
above 3,500 tonnes per operating day with no reduction in
metallurgical recoveries. The CLG team is focused on first
consistently maintaining and then gradually increasing daily mine
production rates by implementing various optimization and
improvement projects across the maintenance and mine operation
functions over the next 6 to 12 months. The rebuild program for the
underground mobile equipment fleet is progressing well and is
expected to help further debottlenecking efforts in the mine during
the second half of 2024.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company and the Los
Gatos Joint Venture (“LGJV”) reported cash and cash equivalents of
$82.5 million and $45.5 million, respectively.
About Gatos Silver
Gatos Silver is a silver dominant exploration,
development and production company that discovered a new silver and
zinc-rich mineral district in southern Chihuahua State, Mexico. As
a 70% owner of the LGJV, the Company is primarily focused on
operating the Cerro Los Gatos mine and on growth and development of
the Los Gatos district. The LGJV includes approximately 103,000
hectares of mineral rights, representing a highly prospective and
under-explored district with numerous silver-zinc-lead epithermal
mineralized zones identified as priority targets.
Qualified Person
Scientific and technical disclosure in this
press release was approved by Anthony (Tony) Scott, P.Geo., Senior
Vice President of Corporate Development and Technical Services of
Gatos Silver who is a “Qualified Person” as defined in S-K 1300 and
NI 43-101.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that
constitute “forward looking information” and “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities
laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts
contained in this press release, including statements regarding
production guidance for 2024, target throughput rate and timing to
achieve such target, timing of an updated life of mine plan, life
extension opportunities, mine debottlenecking, processing rates,
and productivity improvements, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and
assumptions and on information currently available to management.
Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in
the forward-looking statements, and such other risks and
uncertainties described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission and Canadian securities commissions. Gatos
Silver expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to
reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events,
conditions, or circumstances on which such statements are based
unless required to do so by applicable law. No assurance can be
given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this press release.
Investors and Media Contact
André van NiekerkChief Financial
Officerinvestors@gatossilver.com(604) 424-0984
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