Strong performance today Strong performance today considering.
Don't miss the nice operational update as well
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -07/30/12)- Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (ASM.V)(ASM)(ASM)(GV6.BE)(GV6.F) ("Avino" or "the Company") is pleased to provide the following update of activities at its mine operation located near Durango, Mexico.
San Gonzalo Development
The decline from level 3 to level 4 has been completed and work on the ramp to level 5 has commenced. Drifting is under way on level 4 with roughly 50 metres completed of the 300 metres of vein to explore. To avoid bad ground conditions posed by the close proximity of the old shaft, a Y crosscut from the ramp to the vein has been completed. Water has been encountered at the working level of the ramp and is being pumped to surface in three stages in order to maintain the daily ramp advance.
Drifting on the San Gonzalo vein on the 3rd level has been completed. Assays from the channel samples along the vein were reported in a previous news release dated May 7th, 2012. Additional lines from the North West have also been extended a further 45 metres towards the old mine workings. Sample lines L59P to L88P are spaced at approximately 1.5m intervals across the vein. See the map on Avino's website for details. Assay results for the initial 25 metres are as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Strike Individual Length Vein Average Sample Width Gold Silver Lead Zinc Copper (m) Width (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%)----------------------------------------------------------------------------11.8 2.88 1.22 275 0.08 0.25 0.02---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including: Line 66 1.10 2.122 302.5 0.2 0.6 0.02----------------------------------------------------------------------------7.28 3.0 2.11 534 0.14 0.28 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including: Line 67 0.70 9.472 3869.6 0.76 0.3 0.04---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 68 1.20 1.259 393.1 0.12 0.42 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 68 0.30 1.409 542.5 0.16 0.5 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 68 1.10 4.538 594.7 0.1 0.22 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 69 0.40 1.926 888.2 0.22 0.69 0.05----------------------------------------------------------------------------5.99 2.03 1.45 253 0.1 0.21 0.02---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including: Line 70 0.65 3.063 398.9 0.06 0.15 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 70 0.30 0.938 565.5 0.18 0.45 0.06---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 71 0.60 2.084 320.5 0.12 0.13 0.04---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 71 0.80 1.185 375.4 0.23 0.33 0.02---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 71 0.75 0.926 100.5 0.34 0.1 0.02---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 71 1.10 1.002 463.8 0.14 0.28 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 73 0.70 2.004 454.9 0.08 0.18 0.04---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 74 0.80 2.066 577.6 0.12 0.2 0.03---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line 75 0.60 5.997 777.4 0.09 0.45 0.02----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development on stope 3-200 East of the crosscut is continuing with the completion of two raises, extraction drift and draw points. Mining activities have also begun on the western portion of the vein next to the old workings on a new second stope (3-100). Currently, there are 2 mining crews per shift and 3 shifts per day working on these stopes to speed up development.
The power line servicing the San Gonzalo mine is now in place and was energized by the power company (CFE) at the end of May. Capacity of the line is 400kW and its installation replaces the diesel generator used since mining commenced approximately two years ago. Grid power is now available to operate dewatering pumps, underground diamond drill and the jumbo. With the shutdown of the generator, the entrance to the portal is now quiet and free of exhaust fumes.
Total stockpile tonnage from San Gonzalo to date is approximately 16,000 tonnes and consists of development and mineralized material from levels 2 and 3.
ET (Avino) Development
Permits have been solicited for the treatment of the mine water to allow dewatering operations to commence. A pilot water treatment plant has been constructed as per permit requirements and is now 90% complete. The mine dewatering pumps and requisite 6" and 4" plastic pipes are now on site and ready for installation. The supply of lime for neutralization and heavy metal precipitation has been sourced and tested. Permitting of the new tailings storage facility is ongoing.
Sampling of the remaining historic stockpiles is ongoing with the objective of providing additional mill feed to the plant. So far this program has been very successful with additional tonnage having been identified as potential mill feed at current metal prices.
A review of the underground workings above the water level by mine personnel is also taking place to identify potential mining areas for mill feed; this represents part of the exploration program aimed at reopening the ET (Avino) mine.
With the increase in power demand that is expected upon re-opening the mine, as well as operating 1,000tpd mill circuit, Avino has held discussions with CFE and is studying alternative solutions.
Milling
Milling operations have continued with the processing of old Avino ET stockpiles at the rate of approximately 220tpd. The mill has been operating seven days per week at 24 hours per day since the beginning of March. The company will continue with this mill work schedule as there is an abundant supply of mill feed. During the second quarter the mill processed an estimated 16,900 tonnes of feed material producing 134 tonnes of concentrate grading approximately 3,290 g/t silver and 42 g/t gold; plant availability was 91.8%. Concentrate produced in the first six months of the year were sold and trucked to Manzanillo, Mexico in two shipments.
According to the provisional invoice of the first lot, a total of 243 tonnes were sold grading 38 g/t gold and 3,040 g/t silver.