VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE American: ASM) (FSE: GV6) ("Avino" or "the Company") reports that production of 285,464 silver equivalent ounces*, consisting of 77,935 ounces of silver, 1,183 ounces of gold, and 685,535 pounds of copper, was achieved in the third quarter 2021 from its Avino Mine property near Durango, Mexico.
"We are very pleased to announce our third quarter production results which followed a period of operational closure," said David Wolfin, President and CEO of Avino. "The entire Avino team worked tremendously hard to assist in the resumption of operations in August, and successfully achieve production for the quarter. Moving forward, we aim to steadily increase production to reach the levels established prior to the closure. I am also thrilled that training programs are ongoing at the mine as we look to further build a local workforce."
2021 Third Quarter Highlights
- Avino Mine successfully recommenced operations: Underground mining operations are now hauling between 1,000 and 1,500 tpd to surface on a daily basis, with the mill operating at a similar capacity. The Company is working towards achieving pre-shutdown levels of mine and mill production. Current plant capacity remains at 2,500 tpd.
- Increase in overall feed grades from the Avino Mine: Silver, gold and copper grades increased by 16%, 138% and 18%, respectively, compared to the last quarterly production period of Q2 2020.
- Increase in copper recovery rates from the Avino Mine: Copper recovery rose to 94% from 90%, and metal grades across the board where higher when compared to the last quarterly production period of Q2 2020.
During Q3 2021 production came primarily from the Avino Mine. The Company is currently mining and milling from the Avino Mine only. As part of the ramp-up of operations 10,806 tonnes of Historic Above Ground stockpile material having been processed during Q3 2021. Production from this material totaled 15,784 silver equivalent ounces, consisting of 9,336 ounces of silver, 58 ounces of gold, and 12,584 pounds of copper, and there was no comparable production from Q2 2020.
Avino Production Highlights for Q3 2021 (Compared to Q2 2020 – most recent quarter of production)
- Silver equivalent production increased 70% to 269,680 ounces*
- Copper production increased by 46% to 672,951 lbs
- Silver production increased by 36% to 68,599 oz
- Gold production increased by 179% to 1,125 oz