Mr. David Wolfin reports
AVINO ANNOUNCES Q3 2021 PRODUCTION RESULTS
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 Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.'s 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 chief executive officer 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 work force."
2021 third quarter highlights
Avino mine successfully recommenced operations: Underground mining operations are now hauling between 1,000 and 1,500 tonnes per day to surface on a daily basis, with the mill operating at a similar capacity. The company is working toward achieving preshutdown 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 per cent, 138 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, compared with the last quarterly production period of Q2 2020. Increase in copper recovery rates from the Avino mine: Copper recovery rose to 94 per cent from 90 per cent, and metal grades across the board were higher when compared with 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 aboveground stockpile material having been processed during Q3 2021. Production from this material totalled 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 with Q2 2020 -- most recent quarter of production)
Silver equivalent production increased 70 per cent to 269,680 ounces.* Copper production increased by 46 per cent to 672,951 pounds. Silver production increased by 36 per cent to 68,599 ounces. Gold production increased by 179 per cent to 1,125 oz.
* In Q3 2021, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $24.36 oz Ag, $1,790 oz Au and $4.25 lb Cu. In Q2 2020, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.38 oz Ag, $1,707 oz Au and $2.45 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding.
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TABLESQ3 2021 Tonnes Silver Gold CopperProduction by mineprocessed oz oz lb AgEqAvino47,452 68,5991,125672,951269,680Historic aboveground stockpiles10,8069,336 58 12,584 15,784Consolidated 58,258 77,9351,183685,535285,464 CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TABLES YTD 2021Tonnes Silver Gold CopperProduction by mine processed oz oz lb AgEqAvino 50,985 72,1021,171727,994285,157Historic aboveground stockpiles 10,8069,336 58 12,584 15,784Consolidated61,791 81,4381,229740,578300,941
Q3 2021GradeGradeGrade Recovery Recovery RecoveryGrade and recovery by mine Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Ag % Au % Cu %Avino50 0.95 0.6890%77%94%Historic aboveground stockpiles41 0.26 0.1265%63%45%Consolidated 48 0.83 0.5886%75%85% YTD 2021GradeGradeGrade Recovery Recovery RecoveryGrade and recovery by mine Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Ag % Au % Cu %Avino49 0.92 0.6990%78%94%Historic aboveground stockpiles41 0.26 0.1265%63%45%Consolidated 48 0.81 0.5986%75%85%
AVINO MINE PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS (1) Q3 2021Q2 2020 (2) YTD 2021Total mill feed (dry tonnes) 47,452 40,190 50,985Feed grade silver (g/t)50 43 49Feed grade gold (g/t)0.95 0.40 0.92Feed grade copper (%)0.68 0.58 0.69Recovery silver (%) 90%90%90%Recovery gold (%) 77%79%78%Recovery copper (%) 94%90%94%Total silver produced (oz) 68,599 50,581 72,102Total gold produced (oz)1,1254041,171Total copper produced (lb)672,951459,767727,994Total silver equivalent produced (oz) (3) 269,680158,286285,157(1) Ten thousand eight hundred six tonnes of historic aboveground stockpiles were processed during Q3 2021 as part of the ramp-up of operations. Production from this material totalled 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.(2) Q2 2020 was the most recent quarter of consolidated production and is most appropriate for comparison purposes.(3) In Q3 2021, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $24.36 oz Ag, $1,790 oz Au and $4.25 lb Cu. In Q2 2020, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $16.38 oz Ag, $1,707 oz Au and $2.45 lb Cu. Calculated figures may not add up due to rounding.
Exploration and operational update
Exploration
At the end of September, a total of 12,179 metres of drilling have been completed at the Avino property. The main areas for the third quarter of exploration include the oxide tailings, the area below current mining operations at Avino, as well as the highly prospective area of La Potosina.
Assay results are pending due to long turnaround times at the laboratories and will be released once received and interpreted.
Operations
The company has been training a local work force at the mine as it endeavours to support nearby towns and strengthen the collaboration between the surrounding communities and the company.As a major employer in the area, it is important that there is a steady group of trained mine workers available as the company ramps up production. The training programs are aimed at increasing inclusion and diversity, as well as fostering opportunities for both women and men. With this objective in mind, the company is pleased to have trained its first female scooptram operator.
Quality assurance/quality control
Mill assays are performed at the Avino property's on-site lab. Check samples are sent to SGS Labs in Durango, Mexico, for verification. Gold and silver assays are performed by the fire assay method with the gravimetric finish for the concentrates and the AAS methods for copper, lead, zinc and silver for the feed and tail grade samples. All concentrate shipments are assayed by one of the following independent third party labs: AHK, Inspectorate in the United Kingdom and LSI in the Netherlands.
Qualified person(s)
Peter Latta, PEng, MBA, vice-president of technical services, Avino, who is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical data in this news release.
About Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.
Avino is primarily a silver producer from its wholly owned Avino mine near Durango, Mexico. The company's silver and gold production remains unhedged. The company's mission and strategy are to create shareholder value through organic growth at the historic Avino property and the strategic acquisition of mineral exploration and mining properties. The company is committed to managing all business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which it operates.
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