First Majestic Silver Corp.: New Record for Silver Production; Produces 1,538,798 oz Silver
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/08/10 -- First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSX: FR)(OTCQX: FRMSF)(PINK SHEETS: FRMSF)(FRANKFURT: FMV)(WKN: A0LHKJ) -
Highlights
-- Silver production increases by 9% to a quarterly record of 1,538,798
ounces
-- Silver ounces amount to 93% of total equivalent silver production of
1,651,411 ounces
-- Total processed ore in the quarter increased by 20% to a record 404,349
tonnes
First Majestic Silver Corp. ('First Majestic' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that production in the second quarter ending June 30, 2010 increased to a new company record of 1,651,411 equivalent ounces of silver representing a 2% increase over the previous quarter and a 72% increase over the second quarter of 2009.
The total equivalent silver production for the quarter consisted of 1,538,798 ounces of silver, representing a 9% increase from the previous quarter, 1,494,532 pounds of lead representing a 41% decrease from the previous quarter, and 541 ounces of gold representing a decrease of 37% compared to the previous quarter. Total silver production from operations have increased by 86% when compared with the second quarter of 2009.
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 a new record 404,349 tonnes milled in the quarter representing a 20% increase over the previous quarter.
Productions Details Table:
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% Change
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended -----------
June 30, 2010 March 31, 2010 +/-
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Total Silver ounces produced 1,538,798 1,409,825 9%
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Total Equivalent silver ounces
produced 1,651,411 1,619,403 2%
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Total Ore processed/tonnes
milled 404,349 337,110 20%
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Total Pounds of lead produced 1,494,532 2,542,071 -41%
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Total Gold ounces produced 541 857 -37%
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Other Developments
The Company's underground development in the second quarter consisted of 5,063 metres, compared to 5,100 metres completed in the previous quarter. There was 3,090 meters of diamond drilling completed in the quarter which consisted of definition drilling to assist in mining activity, resource upgrading and exploration at the Company's three mines.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
-- The new 3,500 tpd cyanidation mill achieved commercial production
effective April 1, 2010. Starting this quarter, all revenues and
associated operating costs will be treated as commercial production
rather than being capitalized, as was the case in the first quarter.
-- Average throughput in the new cyanidation plant averaged 2,908 tpd in
the second quarter.
-- With the cyanidation plant operating at close to capacity a decision was
made to suspend production of lead concentrate through the flotation
circuit and focus on silver Dore production only, thereby dramatically
reducing smelting and refining costs.
-- As throughput reaches capacity in the third quarter and other
efficiencies are achieved, higher production levels are anticipated.
At the La Parrilla Silver Mine:
-- The completion of a new three kilometre ramp at the Quebradillas mining
area in the first quarter is now having a positive impact on current
production levels.
-- Due to a large high grade ore body that was discovered in 2006, this
large sulphide area will allow for the eventual expansion of the La
Parrilla mill which is now in the planning stages.
-- This mill expansion will allow for the production of zinc concentrates
in addition to the lead concentrate and Dore bars currently being
produced.
At the San Martin Mine:
-- The 2010 drilling exploration program from surface commenced in the
second quarter. The La Esperanza vein which was discovered and sampled
in mid 2009 and runs parallel to the main Zuloaga vein returned high
anomalous values of silver on surface and is a high priority target for
San Martin.
Mr. Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO had the following to say about the recent production results: 'First Majestic continues to break new records and we are extremely pleased with the second quarter results. Our operational team continues to demonstrate that they are committed to increasing efficiencies to achieve our production goal of 6.35 million silver equivalent ounces in 2010.'
Ramon Davila, Ing., Chief Operating Officer for First Majestic, is the Qualified Person who reviewed this news release and oversaw the mining operations.
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.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
This press release includes certain 'Forward-Looking Statements' within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results and future plans and objectives of First Majestic Silver Corp. are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Contacts:
First Majestic Silver Corp.
Keith Neumeyer
President & CEO
Toll Free: 1.866.529.2807 or 604.688.3033
604.639.8873 (FAX)
info@firstmajestic.com
www.firstmajestic.com