Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
Precious metals miner Endeavour Silver (TSX: EDR)(NYSE:EXK) published on Monday first quarter production results showing a 18% increase in silver equivalent output for the three months to March 31, compared to the same quarter last year.
The Canadian miner said it produced 1,623,545 ounces of silver and 9,342 ounces gold, for silver equivalent output of 2.4 million ounces, up from the 1,314,955 ounces of silver and 8,695 ounces of gold it churned out in the first quarter of 2022.
Endeavour Silver noted that payable silver ounces production jumped by 23% from last year, thanks mainly to a 27% rise in silver output at its flagship Guanacevi mine, in Durango, Mexico, as well as to a 1% jump at the Bolañitos mine, also in Mexico.
The 7% gain in gold production was attributed to a 20% increase in gold output at Guanacevi while gold production at Bolañitos fell by 1%.
Endeavour reiterated it intends to make a formal construction decision on the Terronera project in the state of Jalisco soon, subject to the completion of a financing package and receipt of additional amended permits.
A 2021 feasibility study on Terronera, which Endeavour considers its next core asset, supported a high-grade silver-gold underground mining operation, producing an average of 3.3 million payable oz. silver and 32,874 payable oz. gold per year over a 12-year mine life.
