Alexco Resource (TSX: T.AXR, Stock Forum) Friday announced silver production of 379,616 ounces from its Bellekeno mine in the Yukon Territory during the first quarter of 2013, this according to a company news release.
During the same period last year, silver output was 581,808 ounces. The company cited sequencing of mining through lower-grade areas of the SW Zone, resulting in an average silver head grade of 636 grams per tonne as reason for the decline.
"During the first quarter, we have been mining areas that are peripheral to the main SW and 99 resource at Bellekeno; although lower grade, these areas remain economic and would otherwise be sterilized by future mining interior to the deposit. Accordingly, as we progress through the second and third quarters we will be sequencing back into higher grade areas of the mine. We continue to expect to produce approximately 1.9 to 2.1 million ounces from the Bellekeno mine in 2013. I anticipate that the average Bellekeno silver head grade for the full year will settle in around 700 gpt, but with quarter to quarter variations," said Alexco President and CEO Clynt Nauman.