TSX.V: SCZ
FSE: 1SZ
VANCOUVER, Aug. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Santacruz Silver Mining
Ltd. (TSX.V:SCZ) (the "Company" or "Santacruz") reports on the
operating results from the Rosario Project in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and the Veta Grande
Project in Zacatecas, Mexico for
the second quarter of 2017.
Q2 Highlights:
- Silver equivalent produced ounces of 270,569;
- Head grade of 207 Ag Eqv. g/t;
- Improved silver recovery at Veta
Grande
"At Rosario, production quarter over quarter has seen
improvements as we transition from mineralized material from
development to actual producing stopes at the Membrillo and
Cinco Estrellas mines. In
addition to this, the Veta Grande
mine development has now reached Level 6, and mill recoveries have
improved aiming to reach the targeted levels for silver during Q4"
stated Arturo Préstamo, CEO of Santacruz adding, "The addition of
Membrillo and Cinco Estrellas as
feeders to the Rosario Mill has increased the gold content within
our Rosario produced concentrates, while higher silver grade areas
are now being accessed as the main Membrillo vein starts
contributing to Rosario´s mill feed."
2017 Second Quarter Operational Highlights
Summary of
Production Results
|
2017 Q2
(2)
|
2017 Q1
(3)
|
2016 Q2
(3)
|
Material Processed
(tonnes milled)
|
57,684
|
45,474
|
26,419
|
Silver eqv. ounce
production (1)
|
270,659
|
223,968
|
271,985
|
Silver production
(ounces)
|
89,242
|
92,154
|
146,968
|
Gold production
(ounces)
|
472
|
326
|
103
|
Lead production
(tonnes)
|
238
|
144
|
238
|
Zinc production
(tonnes)
|
725
|
559
|
835
|
Average Head Grade
(g/t Ag Eqv.)
|
207
|
216
|
331
|
Rosario Project Operational Results
Summary of
Production Results
|
2017 Q2
(2)
|
2017 Q1
(3)
|
2016 Q2
(3)
|
Material Processed
(tonnes milled)
|
27,967
|
18,723
|
26,419
|
Silver eqv. ounce
production (1)
|
124,717
|
115,240
|
271,985
|
Silver production
(ounces)
|
33,181
|
34,556
|
146,968
|
Silver head grade
(g/t)
|
42
|
66
|
194
|
Silver recovery
(%)
|
87%
|
86%
|
89%
|
Gold production
(ounces)
|
298
|
195
|
103
|
Lead production
(tonnes)
|
40
|
45
|
238
|
Zinc production
(tonnes)
|
408
|
382
|
835
|
Average Head Grade
(g/t Ag Eqv.)
|
172
|
226
|
331
|
Veta Grande Project Operational Results
Summary of
Production Results
|
2017 Q2
(2)
|
2017 Q1
(3)
|
Material Processed
(tonnes milled)
|
29,718
|
26,751
|
Silver eqv. ounce
production (1)
|
145,942
|
108,728
|
Silver production
(ounces)
|
56,062
|
57,598
|
Silver head grade
(g/t)
|
102
|
117
|
Silver recovery
(%)
|
64%
|
57%
|
Gold production
(ounces)
|
174
|
131
|
Lead production
(tonnes)
|
198
|
99
|
Zinc production
(tonnes)
|
317
|
177
|
Average Head Grade
(g/t Ag Eqv.)
|
218
|
209
|
Note
1
|
AgEqvOz=(Au*Pau)+(Ag*Pag)+(Pb*Ppb*2205)+(Zn*Pzn*2205)
|
|
|
|
(Pag)
|
|
|
Metal Prices Q1 and
Q2 20172: Ag $16.00, Au $1,150, Pb $0.90, Zn
$1.15
|
Metal Prices Q2
20163: Ag $14.50, Au $1,100, Pb $0.76, Zn
$0.71
|
Operations Update
In Q2 2017 at the Rosario Project the focus has been on
increasing the impact of the Cinco Estrellas Property and Membrillo
Vein as alternate sources of mill feed at the Rosario milling
facility. The Company has made significant advances on those
initiatives. The Company anticipates that starting in Q4
Membrillo and Cinco Estrellas will
reach their planned production volumes and headgrades, as
sufficient stopes and production areas will be in place.
At Veta Grande, the focus has
been and continues to be through-put maximization and grade
control. The Company continues to work on controlling grades with
mine development as well as improving the mill recoveries. The main
ramp at the Garcia mine has now
reached Level 6 where massive sulphide areas have been identified
which will increase the lead content in the mineralized material
thereby allowing for additional improvements to mill
recoveries.
About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.
Santacruz is a Mexican focused silver company with two producing
silver projects (Rosario Project, including the Rosario Mine, Cinco
Estrellas Property and Membrillo Vein, and the right to operate the
Veta Grande Project and milling facility); and two exploration
properties, the Minillas Property and Zacatecas properties. Santacruz is managed by
a technical team of professionals with proven track records in
developing, operating and discovering silver mines in Mexico with a corporate objective to become a
mid-tier silver producer.
'signed'
Arturo Préstamo Elizondo,
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Forward looking information
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute
"forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable
Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on
plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the
information is provided and is subject to certain factors and
assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements
included in this news release, the Company has applied several
material assumptions, that the Company's financial condition and
development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events,
that third party mineralized material to be milled by the Company
will have properties consistent with management's expectations,
that the Company will receive all required regulatory approvals,
and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for
metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking
information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and
other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results
to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking
information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking
information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate
include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the
assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, which
could result in lower revenue, higher cost, or lower production
levels; delays and/or cessation in planned work; changes in the
Company's financial condition and development plans; delays in
regulatory approval; risks associated with the interpretation of
data (including in respect of the third party mineralized material)
regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits;
the possibility that results will not be consistent with the
Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and
uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development
activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's
continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile
at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any
forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not
place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or
statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking information or statements, other than as required
by applicable law.
Rosario Project
The decisions to commence production at the Rosario Mine,
Cinco Estrellas Property and Membrillo Vein were not based on a
feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and
technical viability, but rather on a more preliminary estimate of
inferred mineral resources. Accordingly, there is increased
uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated
with this production decision. Production and economic variables
may vary considerably, due to the absence of a complete and
detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI
43-101.
Veta Grande Project
The decision to commence production at Veta Grande Project
was not based on a feasibility study on mineral reserves
demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly,
there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of
failure associated with this production decision. Production
and economic variables may vary considerably due to the absence of
a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in
accordance with NI 43-101.
SOURCE SantaCruz Silver Mining Ltd.