By Oliver Griffin
Fresnillo PLC (FRES.LN) said Wednesday that first-quarter silver production grew 14% on year, as the company's San Julian mine in Mexico reached full operating capacity.
The precious metals miner, which is based in Mexico, said that silver production for the three months ended March 31 rose to 15.4 million ounces from 13.5 million ounces.
Gold production climbed 4.1% to 231,500 ounces due to higher ore grades at the company's Herradura mine, Fresnillo said.
Construction of the Pyrites plant remains on track and commissioning of the leaching plant at Saucito is expected to take place in the second quarter, the company said.
Fresnillo said that it is on track to meet its 2018 production guidance of 67 million ounces to 70 million ounces of silver, and 870,000 ounces to 900,000 ounces of gold.
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