First Majestic Produces 3.6 Million Silver Eqv. Ounces in Q3'15
(firmenpresse) - VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/14/15 -- 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 third quarter ended September 30, 2015 reached 3,558,035 equivalent ounces of silver, relatively unchanged compared to the same quarter in 2014.
"Our third quarter results saw overall improvements in silver recoveries and throughput rates primarily due to the recent expansion of the La Encantada plant to 3,000 tonnes per day. At San Martin and La Guitarra, we continue to encounter high grades of silver and gold which resulted in record quarterly production at both operations," stated Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO of First Majestic. "However, due to the continued weakness in metal prices, we are modifying our operations in order to ensure free cash flow is generated across the entire business. These changes include additional layoffs and mine plan revisions. Once these changes are fully implemented, and with the addition of the newly acquired Santa Elena Mine, the Company is expected to benefit from improved operating margins, increased cash flows and greater economies of scale."
Consolidated Production Results:
(i)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 675,032 tonnes, representing a 9% increase compared to the third quarter of the prior year and a 2% increase from the previous quarter. The increase in tonnes compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to a 33% increase in throughput rates at La Encantada following the completion of the plant expansion to 3,000 tpd, however, offset by a 23% decrease in throughput rates at Del Toro which was affected by ventilation issues during the quarter.
Average silver grades in the quarter for the five mines decreased to 167 g/t compared to 196 g/t in the third quarter of 2014 and decreased 8% compared with the previous quarter. Combined silver recoveries averaged 72% during the quarter, up from 68% in the same quarter of the prior year and above the second quarter average of 70%.
The Company's underground development in the third quarter consisted of 8,231 metres, a 20% decrease compared to 10,259 metres completed in the previous quarter.
During the quarter, 13 diamond drill rigs were operating at the Company's five operations. The Company completed 8,586 metres of diamond drilling in the quarter compared to 16,268 metres in the prior quarter, representing a 47% decrease primarily due to a cost reduction strategy in response to the low and volatile silver price environment.
The table below represents the operating parameters at each of the Company's five producing silver mines.
Mine by Mine Quarterly Production Table:
The following prices were used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces: Silver: $14.91 per ounce; Gold: $1,123 per ounce; Lead: $0.78 per pound; Zinc $0.83 per pound.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
At the La Parrilla Silver Mine:
At the Del Toro Silver Mine:
At the San Martin Silver Mine:
At the La Guitarra Silver Mine:
Corporate Update:
As of October 1, 2015, First Majestic assumed full operations at the Santa Elena Mine in Sonora, Mexico, as a result of the acquisition of SilverCrest Mines. The Santa Elena operation is now the Company's sixth operating mine and is expected to increase annual silver equivalent production by over 25%. However, with the continued weakness in metal prices, the Company is reviewing all operating mine plans which may result in reduced production targets at some of the operations in order to improve profitability. Management believes leaving higher cost ounces in the ground is a prudent choice for its shareholders until silver prices improve. The Company is expected to provide further details with the release of the unaudited third quarter financial results on November 16, 2015.
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
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of First Majestic Silver Corp. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of silver and other metals, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, hedging practices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of First Majestic Silver Corp. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the integration of acquisitions; risks related to international operations; risks related to joint venture operations; actual results of current exploration activities; actual results of current reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in First Majestic Silver Corp.'s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014, available on , and Form 40-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.
Although First Majestic Silver Corp. 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. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. First Majestic Silver Corp. does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Contacts:
First Majestic Silver Corp.
(604) 688-3033 or Toll Free: 1-866-529-2807
(604) 639-8873 (FAX)
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Datum: 14.10.2015 - 11:00 Uhr
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News-ID 426750
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