Great Panther produces 789,250 oz AgEq in Q3

2013-10-10 09:10 ET - News Release

Mr. Robert Archer reports

Great Panther Silver Ltd. has released third quarter production results at its two wholly owned Mexican silver mining operations, Guanajuato and Topia.

Third quarter 2013 operations highlights (compared with third quarter 2012)

Ore processed was up 32 per cent to 76,898 tonnes, the highest quarterly throughput the company has achieved.

Metal production increased 33 per cent to a record of 789,250 silver equivalent ounces, at a 60:1 silver:gold ratio.

Silver production rose 24 per cent to a record 459,924 silver ounces.

A new high for quarterly gold production was achieved, at 4,695 gold ounces, a 56-per-cent increase.

Environmental impact assessment permit received (subsequent to quarter-end) for San Ignacio.

"We are pleased to report new records for total metal production and for each of our two mines for the third quarter of 2013, in addition to record production for silver and gold," stated Robert Archer, president and chief executive officer. "With year-to-date production totalling 2,076,963 silver equivalent ounces, we expect to exceed our production guidance for the year. Our continued focus on grade control and operational efficiencies is having a meaningful, positive impact on production volumes while reducing unit costs. In light of lower metal prices, the company has concentrated on reducing site costs and improving operating efficiencies, and has also focused capital expenditure and development programs on those with the greatest return on investment.

"The Rayas shaft rehabilitation at the Guanajuato mine complex is almost complete and the shaft is expected to resume operations in October. This will reduce transportation times of personnel to their work places and further improve operational efficiencies. Subsequent to the end of the quarter we received the final permit required for the development of our San Ignacio mine. Production from San Ignacio will commence in early 2014 and is expected to have a significant and positive impact on the Guanajuato operations."

CONSOLIDATED THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Q3 2013 Q3 2012 Q3 2013 Q2 2013

Ore processed (tonnes

milled) 76,898 58,307 76,898 67,569

Silver equivalent ounce

production 789,250 592,586 789,250 680,212

Silver ounce production 459,924 371,857 459,924 396,730

Gold ounce production 4,695 3,015 4,695 3,994

Lead production (tonnes) 300 226 300 243

Zinc production (tonnes) 411 369 411 411

Total underground

development (m) 3,610 3,925 3,610 4,044

Underground diamond

drilling (m) 11,638 8,134 11,638 6,907

Guanajuato mine complex

For the third quarter, the Guanajuato operation processed 60,536 tonnes, up 38 per cent compared with the same period in 2012, at ore grades of 166 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag) and 2.54 g/t gold (Au). Metal production included 289,671 Ag ounces, and 4,531 Au ounces, or 561,544 AgEq ounces, which represented an increase of 36 per cent over the same period in 2012 and the highest quarterly production yet. Plant metallurgical performance remained strong, with metal recoveries of 89.4 per cent for silver and 91.8 per cent for gold.

GUANAJUATO THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Q3 2013 Q3 2012 Q3 2013 Q2 2013

Ore processed (tonnes

milled) 60,536 43,714 60,536 52,917

Silver equivalent ounce

production 561,544 411,959 561,544 466,925

Silver ounce production 289,671 239,992 289,671 236,454

Gold ounce production 4,531 2,866 4,531 3,841

Ag grade (g/t) 166 188 166 159

Au grade (g/t) 2.54 2.22 2.54 2.47

Ag recovery (%) 89.4% 90.9% 89.4% 87.2%

Au recovery (%) 91.8% 91.9% 91.8% 91.5%

Total underground

development (m) 1,811 1,466 1,811 1,790

Underground diamond

drilling (m) 11,020 7,485 11,020 6,426

Metal production at Guanajuato came primarily from the Cata and Santa Margarita mines and there was noticeable improvement in terms of production and grades from the Los Pozos and Guanajuatito mines. The slight improvement in grades over the previous quarter is due to mining in areas where mineralized structures merge into each other, reducing the dimension of production headings and stopes and leading to more selective mining, higher efficiencies and reduced dilution. Gold grades remain strong due to the steady production from the gold-rich Santa Margarita vein. Underground development at Guanajuato consisted of 1,811 metres, up 23 per cent compared with the same period in 2012. The development program for the quarter concentrated on expanding core production levels and developing new stopes to increase production and improve ore grades. In addition, the ventilation system has been upgraded by driving new ventilation raises and improving the fresh air circulation in all working areas, resulting in better health and safety conditions and higher operational efficiencies. For the quarter, diamond drilling totalled 11,020 metres, up 47 per cent compared with the same period in 2012. The increase in diamond drilling is primarily due to an exploration program completed at the Guanajuatito mine, with the goal of upgrading the mineral resources between the 245- and 390-metre levels and targeting a development plan during the fourth quarter. Exploration drilling at the Cata mine further defined silver-gold mineralization between the 465- and 545-metre levels. Significant intercepts were recorded on the Veta Madre, Contact vein and hangingwall (Alto) veins, in particular demonstrating the continuity of mineralization on the newly identified Alto 4 vein. In addition, the overall drilling program defined the southeast orientation of silver-gold mineralization to depth, becoming a potential area for exploration in the near future. Exploration drilling at Santa Margarita was focused on defining Veta Madre and Santa Margarita veins between the 300- and 454-metre levels, returning positive intersections.

A thorough assessment of the Cata shaft, the main production shaft, is being conducted in order to ensure a safe skipping operation. Any maintenance activities at Cata shaft will have a minor impact on productivity as they will be harmonized with continuing operations.

The Cata processing plant was upgraded with the installation of a new filter press, new ball mill liners and improvements to the thickener tank. As a result, concentrate quality has been improved and electricity consumption has been reduced. The construction of the 13th dike lift at the Guanajuato tailings dam was completed and certified and survey reference points were installed over various dikes to monitor the stability of the tailings dam.

Topia mine

For the third quarter, 16,362 tonnes were processed at Topia, up 12 per cent compared with the same period in 2012, at grades of 358 g/t Ag, 0.55 g/t Au, 1.96 per cent lead (Pb) and 2.73 per cent zinc (Zn). Metal production included 170,254 Ag ounces, 164 Au ounces, 300 Pb tonnes and 411 Zn tonnes, to a record 227,706 AgEq ounces, which is 26 per cent up over the same period in 2012. Plant metallurgical performance was steady with metal recoveries of 90.4 per cent for silver, 56.4 per cent for gold, 93.5 per cent for lead and 91.8 per cent for zinc.

TOPIA THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Q3 2013 Q3 2012 Q3 2013 Q2 2013

Ore processed (tonnes

milled) 16,362 14,593 16,362 14,652

Silver equivalent ounce

production 227,706 180,627 227,706 213,287

Silver ounce production 170,254 131,865 170,254 160,276

Gold ounce production 164 149 164 153

Lead production (tonnes) 300 226 300 243

Zinc production (tonnes) 411 369 411 411

Ag grade (g/t) 358 316 358 376

Au grade (g/t) 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.57

Ag recovery (%) 90.4% 89.0% 90.4% 90.6%

Au recovery (%) 56.4% 57.8% 56.4% 57.0%

Total underground

development (m) 1,799 2,459 1,799 2,254

Underground diamond

drilling (m) 619 649 619 481

Metal production for the quarter was principally derived from the Durangueno mine and increased production at the Argentina mine, followed by production from the El Rosario, 1522 and Hormiguera mines. Silver grades were up 13 per cent compared with the same period in 2012; however, grades were lower than anticipated for the quarter due to the irregularity of ore vein formations, resulting in higher dilution. Underground development at Topia in the quarter was down 27 per cent, to 1,799 metres, compared with the same period in 2012 due to a focus on production and grade control at the 1522, San Gregorio, La Prieta, Argentina and Durangueno mines. Exploration drilling at Topia totalled 619 metres, down 5 per cent compared with the same period in 2012.

The processing plant is being upgraded by the installation of a new cone crusher and extensive metallurgical tests are being carried out to improve recoveries. In addition, the metallurgical investigation laboratory was reconditioned and upgraded equipment was installed.

San Ignacio project

On Oct. 8, subsequent to quarter-end, the company announced that it had received the environmental impact assessment permit for San Ignacio. The EIA permit allows for the initiation of site preparation and underground development. The construction of a two-kilometre road has commenced to provide access to the new portal for ramp and mine development. Production is anticipated to commence in early 2014. See "Great Panther Silver receives final permit for San Ignacio," for further details.

El Horcon project

An internal resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment were prepared in the third quarter based upon the 2,156-metre, 24-hole surface drill program completed during the second quarter. The drill program tested 650 metres of strike length on the Diamantillo vein and various splays and nearby parallel structures and veins. The company is considering the results in light of current metal prices in order to decide whether to proceed with the project at this time.

Outlook

With year-to-date production totalling 2,076,963 silver equivalent ounces, the company expects to exceed its guidance of 2.4 million to 2.5 million silver equivalent ounces for fiscal 2013.

Although precious metals prices recovered slightly in the third quarter from their lows at the end of June, the company continues to focus on improving and strengthening the operational efficiency of its mines. As a result of these efforts, cash costs are expected to be significantly lower in the second half of the year, as compared with the first half.

Road construction and site preparation are under way at San Ignacio and will set the stage for ramp and mine development that will continue into the first quarter of 2014. Production from San Ignacio, commencing at about 100 tonnes per day and increasing to about 250 by the end of 2014, will be trucked to and processed at the company's Cata plant at the main Guanajuato mine complex, 22 kilometres away. The ability to increase throughput at Guanajuato with no further capital expenditures at the plant, will have an immediate and positive impact on cash costs.