TSX-V-listed SilverCrest Metals has declared commercial production at its Las Chispas mine, in Mexico, having achieved a continuous two-month period operating the processing plant at a minimum capacity of 80%.
The plant’s nameplate design capacity is 1 250 t/d or 1 000 t/d.
The commissioning period was from September 1, through October 31, 2022, where the plant processed 62 146 t of ore for an average of 1 019 t/d. For the same period, the metallurgical recovery averaged 96.7% gold and 96.8% silver, or 96.7% silver equivalent.
"We would like to congratulate our Las Chispas site team and contractors who have played an instrumental role in achieving this milestone on the planned schedule. We have been impressed by the early performance of the Las Chispas processing plant and continue to work to fine-tune and complete the ramp-up. Our underground mining team also continues to ramp up the operation with a focus on refinement of mining methods and implementation of grade control procedures,” commented COO Pierre Beaudoin.
CEO Eric Fier added that Las Chispas had moved from discovery to production in less than seven years.
“We are extremely proud of the dedication and execution from all involved. We now look forward to finishing our ramp-up to designed levels, generating revenue with subsequent free cash flow, and releasing an updated technical report in the first half of 2023.”