VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Jan. 12, 2012) – First Majestic Silver Corp. (“First Majestic” or the “Company”) (TSX:FR)(NYSE:AG)(FRANKFURT:FMV) is pleased to announce the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2011 production results.
Highlights
Quarter Ended | Quarter Ended | ||
December 31, | September 30, | ||
Consolidated | 2011 | 2011 | % Variance |
Ore processed/tonnes milled | 565,003 | 530,159 | 7% |
Total production – ounces of silver equivalent | 2,101,527 | 1,791,770 | 17% |
Total commercial production – ounces silver equivalent | 2,101,527 | 1,751,178 | 20% |
Silver ounces produced | 1,957,657 | 1,708,865 | 15% |
Pre-commercial silver ounces produced | – | 34,316 | (100%) |
Ag grade (g/t) | 201 | 188 | 7% |
Ag recovery (%) | 54% | 53% | 1% |
Pounds of lead produced | 3,416,908 | 1,891,991 | 81% |
Equivalent ounces from lead | 97,342 | 54,319 | 79% |
Gold ounces produced | 440 | 409 | 7% |
Equivalent ounces from gold | 27,472 | 20,648 | 33% |
Pounds of zinc produced | 152,664 | – | 100% |
Equivalent ounces from zinc | 4,291 | – | 100% |
Tonnes of iron ore produced | 4,695 | 3,075 | 53% |
Equivalent ounces from iron ore | 14,764 | 7,939 | 86% |
Total underground development (m) | 11,978 | 10,130 | 18% |
Diamond drilling (m) | 19,916 | 18,558 | 7% |
The production in 2011 reached 7,562,493 equivalent ounces of silver, representing an 8% increase over 2010 from 7,024,056 equivalent ounces of silver.
The equivalent silver production for 2011 consisted of 7,216,109 ounces of pure silver, representing an 11% increase from the prior year, 7,888,943 pounds of lead, representing a 23% increase from the previous year, and 1,537 ounces of gold, representing a decrease of 29% compared to the previous year. Total silver production in 2011 as a percentage of total production amounted to 95% maintaining First Majestic as the purest silver producer in the world.
Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO, stated, “Our operational team has once again done an outstanding job and should be congratulated for their efforts in 2011. The year, 2011 marks the eighth year in a row that First Majestic has achieved record production of silver. Not only is this a great achievement, but our growth is not slowing down. There appears to be no end in sight of our growth in silver production. As the fastest growing and purest silver producer in the world, management’s focus and top priority remains to continually deliver shareholder value.”
Revised guidance released on November 9, 2011 stated, production is anticipated to reach 7.6 million ounces of silver equivalents consisting of 7.3 million ounces of silver and 0.3 million ounces of silver equivalents in the form of lead, zinc, gold and iron. Due to the many factors that can affect production, the Company has elected to provide guidance for 2012 production estimated in a range from 8.9 to 9.4 million ounces of equivalent silver or 8.3 to 8.7 million ounces of pure silver. The Company remains on a very aggressive growth plan over the next three years with the construction and development of the Del Toro Silver Mine and the La Luz Silver Project. Del Toro is expected to become the Company’s largest operation by 2014 and is projected to produce over 6 million ounces of silver per year.
In addition to further increases in production for 2012 due to the expansion at the La Parrilla Silver Mine, metallurgical improvements at the La Encantada Silver Mine, and the Del Toro Silver Mine commencing production in the fourth quarter, the Company is also expanding its exploration budget. The current 2012 budget calls for 96,739 metres of drilling over the Company’s five projects for a total expenditure of $16.6 million. This exploration program compares to a total of 56,713 metres drilled in 2011 for total expenditures of $9.0 million. It is further anticipated that new updated NI 43-101 Technical Reports will be released on each of the Company’s projects in 2012. The Company currently has 19 drill rigs operating and is expected to have 27 drill rigs operating by March 2012.
In addition, in preparation of the expanding production levels anticipated in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company’s underground development budget is being increased to $32.5 million in 2012 compared with $30.9 million in 2011. Total metres of underground development for 2012 are expected to reach 41,921 metres.
With respect to the fourth quarter production results, total ore processed at the Company’s three operating silver mines, the La Encantada Silver Mine, the La Parrilla Silver Mine and the San Martin Silver Mine, amounted to 565,003 tonnes milled in the quarter representing a 7% increase over the previous quarter. The average silver head grade in the quarter for the three mines increased 7% from the previous quarter to 201 g/t of silver. The combined recoveries of silver also increased slightly from 53% to 54%. As a result of the increased capacity at the La Parrilla operation and the fresh ore tonnage increases at the La Encantada mine, recoveries in 2012 are anticipated to improve.
The Company developed 11,978 metres underground in the fourth quarter, compared to 10,130 metres of underground development completed in the previous quarter. The total annual underground development for 2011 amounted to 37,311 metres. Development has been focused on increasing the Reserve and Resource preparation ratios at the three operating mines and further mine preparation at Del Toro in advance of initial production commencing in late 2012.
Also, the diamond drilling programs totalled 19,916 metres of exploration drilling over 63 holes in the quarter, for a 2011 annual total of 56,713 metres of drilling completed over 244 holes at the Company’s three mines, and at the Del Toro Silver Mine.
As a result of the efforts and work completed in 2011, some of the improvements and advances made during the year included:
At the La Encantada Silver Mine
At the La Parrilla Silver Mine
At the San Martin Silver Mine
At the Del Toro Silver Mine
At the La Luz Silver Project
First Majestic is a producing silver company focused on silver production in México and is aggressively pursuing its business plan of becoming a senior silver producer through the development of its existing mineral property assets and the pursuit through acquisition of additional mineral assets which contribute to the Company achieving its aggressive corporate growth objectives.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release includes certain “Forward-Looking Statements” of “forward looking information” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, respectively. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates; the estimated cost and timing of development of our development projects; the timing of completion of exploration programs and preparation of technical reports; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies on our operations, including, without limitation, the laws in Mexico which currently have significant restrictions related to mining; obtaining or maintaining necessary permits, licences and approvals from government authorities; and continued access to necessary infrastructure, including, without limitation, access to power, land, water and roads to carry on activities as planned.
These statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of silver, gold, base metals or certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel oil and electricity); fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada or Mexico; the Company’s cash flow and availability of alternate sources of capital; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining or development, including those currently enacted in Mexico; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; the Company’s title to properties; and the factors identified under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form, under the caption “Risks Relating to First Majestic’s Business”.
Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.