Alex Langer, President and CEO of Sierra Madre Gold And Silver (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF), joins me to provide an equipment purchase and installation update on the progress of the planned two-stage expansion at its La Guitarra silver-gold mine complex. We also get a brief operations update on the 3 producing mines: La Guitarra, Coloso, and Nazareno mines in Mexico.
Beyond the production growth, we also focus on the substantial exploration programs planned for the 2nd half of this year, both at the La Guitarra complex and at the property coming into the company from the ongoing acquisition of the Del Toro Silver Mine in the Chalchihuites District in Mexico from First Majestic Silver Corp.
The first stage of the expansion at the La Guitarra plant will increase production rates from the current 500 tonnes per day (“tpd”) to 750 tpd to 800 tpd of processing capacity; with a goal to get that completed by June or July of this summer. Processing plant and tailings handling upgrades and equipment purchases for the planned production expansion are underway. Once the first stage of the expansion is completed, the planned second phase would increase processing capacity to a range of 1,200 tpd to 1,500 tpd by Q3 2027.
- The current crushing circuit consists of a primary jaw crusher, a two-tier vibrating screen plant and a 3-foot short head cone crusher. The installation of a new 3-foot standard head crusher is expected to expand crushing capacity to 750 tpd to 800 tpd.
- Options are now being evaluated for the construction of a second crushed ore storage bin for additional backup storage capacity.
- Earthworks for the foundations of the 750 tpd to 800 tpd thickener are nearly complete. This thickener will allow a portion of the tailings to be deposited as paste fill in old stopes, thus extending the life of the existing tailings impoundment. It will also allow for the construction of a filter circuit to produce dry stackable tailings.
- A used 11×12.5 ball mill has been purchased and is in the process of being refurbished. The mill’s capacity is a nominal 600 tpd at a -3/8 inch feed size and, when used in combination with one of the two existing +200 tpd mills, is expected to expand processing capacity to the 750 tpd to 800 tpd objective.
- The Company has acquired two new scoop trams, one used scoop and is in the process of rebuilding two existing scoops. These purchases and rebuilds will allow the Company to dedicate one 3-cubic metre scoop to the newly reopened Nazareno mine and allow for production improvements in both the Guitarra and Coloso mines.
- The Company has purchased four haulage trucks and a second front end loader.
The balance of the discussion is on the exploration campaign for the second half of this year across both the La Guitarra property and Del Toro property. Alex points out that having their own assay lab should allow the company to quickly react to incoming assays at La Guitarra, going from 20 holes, to 40 holes, and then eventually 80 holes. At Del Toro, the envisioned plan is to drill about 30,000 meters, which is an even larger program than at La Guitarra.
When pressed about what metals price environment the company would need to see to turn on the mines at Del Toro quicker, in tandem with the exploration, Alex mentioned that as was the case with La Guitarra, First Majestic has done an exceptional job in keeping permits current and maintaining the mine and plant in an operations-ready state. As a result, if a decision was made, after the acquisition is completed in late April, then it is possible that a mine restart could begin in around a year’s time.
If you have any questions for Alex regarding Sierra Madre Gold and Silver, then please email them to me at either Shad@kereport.com.
- In full disclosure, Shad is a shareholder of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver and may choose to buy or sell shares at any time.
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