Fresnillo plc produced 34.8 Moz of silver in the first nine months of 2015, some 7% higher than the corresponding period in 2014, with the start-up of Saucito II and higher ore grade at Ciénega. Q3 production came in at 11.0 Moz, in line with Q3 14. The company states that it is on track to meet its 2015 production target of 45-47 Moz of silver, with an ultimate aim of 65 Moz/y by 2018.
The company also produced a significant amount of gold, with year-to-date gold production of 546 koz, up 29.2% on the same period of 2014 mainly due to Herradura being fully operational post the temporary explosives permit suspension which affected 2014 production, and the dynamic leaching plant being fully operational post its start-up in March 2014.
Q3 gold production was 182 koz, up 16.0% versus Q3 14 owing to an increase in gold recovery at Herradura, increased ore deposited at Noche Buena and a higher volume processed at Saucito. The company’s 2015 guidance for gold production is 715-730 koz.
Fresnillo has six operating mines, all of them in Mexico – Fresnillo, Saucito, Ciénega (including the San Ramón satellite mine), Herradura, Soledad-Dipolos (currently suspended as a result of a court ruling to vacate the area at the site of the mine) and Noche Buena.
Fresnillo on track to produce 45-47 Moz of silver in 2015:FRES