Silver Standard Resources’ Pirquitas silver-tin-zinc mine in Argentina commenced commercial production of silver on 1 December, the company announced. Tin production is expected to follow shortly. At full production the mine will produce 10 million ounces of silver and 2,500 tonnes per year of tin-in-concentrate. The US$230 million project has a mine life of over 14 years and will employ 550 people.
Mr. Robert Quartermain, the company’s president and chief executive officer, said that "I am extremely pleased about reaching this significant milestone in the company’s history. Pirquitas will provide the foundation from which to grow the company’s silver production. I congratulate the Pirquitas team who worked diligently to achieve this goal."
The mill is processing oxide and transitional ore which to date is exceeding the company’s expectations for this material. Silver recoveries are exceeding 50% and silver concentrate grading in excess of 22 kilograms of silver per tonne is being produced. The mine is operating as planned and the mill will operate on oxide and transitional ore until the sulphide ore currently being exposed from the open pit is processed in the first quarter of 2010.
