TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Vancouver-based Silver Standard Resources achieved commercial production on December 1 at its Pirquitas mine in Jujuy, Argentina, the firm announced on Friday.

Oxide and transitional ore being processed through the mill is actually beating the company's expectations so far, it said in a statement.

Silver recoveries are above 50% and silver concentrate grading higher than 22 kg of silver per ton is being produced.

The mine is operating as planned and the mill will operate on oxide and transitional ore until the sulphide ore currently being exposed from the open pit is processed in the first quarter of 2010, Silver Standard said.

"I am extremely pleased about reaching this significant milestone in the company's history,” said CEO Robert Quartermain.

“Pirquitas will provide the foundation from which to grow the company's silver production.”

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