VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Oct. 12, 2011) – First Majestic Silver Corp. (“First Majestic” or the “Company”) (TSX:FR)(NYSE:AG)(FRANKFURT:FMV)(WKN:A0LHKJ) is pleased to announce that total production at its three mines in Mexico for the third quarter ending September 30, 2011 reached 1,791,770 equivalent ounces of silver.
The total equivalent silver production for the quarter consisted of 1,708,865 ounces of silver, representing a small decrease of 4% from the prior quarter and a decrease of 6% compared to the same quarter in 2010. In addition, 1,891,991 pounds of lead was produced representing a 36% increase from the previous quarter and an increase of 52% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Also, 409 ounces of gold was produced, representing an increase of 21% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 27% compared to the third quarter of 2010.
As announced on September 20, 2011, the new 1,000 tpd La Parrilla flotation circuit began operations in early September. The Company is pleased to announce that this new circuit has been deemed commercial effective October 1, 2011. Incremental production, revenues and operating costs associated with this new flotation circuit was capitalized in the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Effective October 1, 2011, all revenues and costs will be treated as normal course operations and recorded in the Company’s income statement rather than being capitalized as pre-production, or pre-operating. For the third quarter, ending September 30, 2011 pre-commercial production was 34,316 ounces of silver contained in lead concentrates produced at the new La Parrilla flotation circuit.
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO of First Majestic states; “Our focus in the third quarter paid off with the completion of the new flotation circuit at La Parrilla. With two major construction projects underway our operations staff deserve to be commended by coming close to budget this quarter. The way is now paved for a record fourth quarter and a great start to 2012.”
Production Details Table: | ||||||
Consolidated | Quarter Ended September 30, 2011 |
Quarter Ended June 30, 2011 |
% Variance |
|||
Ore processed/tonnes milled | 530,159 | 482,077 | 10% | |||
Total production – ounces of silver equivalent | 1,791,770 | 1,843,830 | (3% | ) | ||
Total commercial production – ounces silver equivalent | 1,751,178 | 1,843,830 | (5% | ) | ||
Silver ounces produced | 1,708,865 | 1,780,379 | (4% | ) | ||
Pre-commercial silver ounces produced | 34,316 | 0 | 100% | |||
Ag Grade (g/t) | 188 | 198 | (5% | ) | ||
Ag Recovery (%) | 53 | 58 | (8% | ) | ||
Pounds of lead produced | 1,891,991 | 1,392,132 | 36% | |||
Equivalent ounces from Lead | 54,319 | 42,305 | 28% | |||
Pb Grade (%) | 2.0 | 1.9 | 5% | |||
Pb Recovery (%) | 88.4 | 86.5 | 2% | |||
Gold ounces produced | 409 | 337 | 21% | |||
Equivalent ounces from Au | 20,648 | 15,825 | 30% | |||
Equivalent ounces from Fe | 7,939 | 4,641 | 71% |
Other Developments
The total ore processed during the quarter 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 530,159 tonnes milled representing a 10% increase over the previous quarter. The average head grade in the quarter for the three mines decreased by 5% over the previous quarter to 188 g/t of silver. The combined recoveries of silver decreased from 58% to 53% in the quarter.
The Company’s underground development in the third quarter consisted of 10,992 metres, compared to 8,708 metres completed in the previous quarter. There were 18,558 metres of diamond drilling completed in the quarter compared with 12,446 metres of diamond drilling in the second quarter representing a 49% increase. This expanded exploration program is consisting of definition drilling to assist in mining activity and Reserve and Resource definition in the Company’s three operating mines and at the Del Toro Silver Mine which is under construction.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
At the La Parrilla Silver Mine:
At the San Martin Mine:
At the Del Toro Project:
At the La Luz Silver Project:
First Majestic is a producing silver company focused in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing its business plan to become a senior silver producer through the development of its existing assets and the pursuit through acquisition of additional assets that contribute to achieving its corporate growth objectives.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact [email protected], visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release includes certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. 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 price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and estimates of future production and costs of production at our properties; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metals produced by us, the estimated cost of development of our development projects; 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, Mexico; 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, 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.