Fortuna Silver Mines has reported its 1Q23 production of 94 110 gold equivalent oz from its four operating mines in Latam and West Africa. Gold production of 60 092 oz was mainly driven by contributions of 25 258 oz from the Lindero Mine and 26 437 oz from the Yaramoko Mine. The lower year-over-year gold production is primarily due to a decrease in head grades at both mines albeit in line with the mining sequence and Mineral Reserves. Silver production of 1 586 378 oz is similar to the comparable period in 2022 with marginally lower tonnage and head grades milled at the San Jose and Caylloma mines.
Fortuna reiterates its 2023 annual production guidance range of 6.3 to 6.9 million oz of silver and 282 to 320 thousand oz of gold or between 412 000 and 463 000 gold equivalent oz, including lead and zinc by-products.
Production highlights
- Gold and silver production are on track to achieve 2023 annual guidance.
- Gold production of 60 092 oz; 10% decrease over 1Q22.
- Silver production of 1 586 378 oz; 5% decrease over 1Q22. • Zinc and lead production of 13.1 million lbs and 9.5 million lbs; 21 and 4% increase over 1Q22, respectively.
- Gold equivalent production of 94110 oz.
- The Séguéla Mine is on track to initiate gold production in May 2023.
At Séguéla Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire, construction and operational activities have progressed well. First gold pour is projected to occur in May 2023. As of the end of March, the project construction was 96 % complete. Mining from the Antenna pit commenced with waste being used to construct the run-of-mine (ROM) pad. In early April, commissioning of the crushing circuit began using ore from the Antenna pit. Mineralized material will continue to be stockpiled on the ROM pad ahead of commissioning the milling circuit and ramp-up to steady-state operations.