Casablanca – Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF) has reached a significant milestone with the first silver pour at its expanded Zgounder Mine in Morocco. This achievement, completed on November 27, 2024, highlights the success of the mine’s recent expansion and marks an important step towards ramping up operations to commercial production.
A landmark moment
The first silver pour utilized the new mill’s full circuit, signaling the completion of hot commissioning and the initiation of the gravity circuit commissioning phase. Aya reported recovery rates exceeding 80%, with further improvements expected as the circuit stabilizes and the mill feed grade continues to rise.
To optimize efficiency during the ramp-up, the mine is currently processing marginal ore, minimizing silver losses while steadily increasing output.
Operational milestones
Aya’s expanded Zgounder Mine has already achieved several critical milestones, including:
- Processing Capacity: The operation reached its nameplate capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day (tpd) on November 29, 2024, less than a month after the introduction of ore into the new mill.
- Performance Metrics: Recovery, throughput, and equipment availability continue to improve daily, with full commercial production expected by the end of the year.
Benoit La Salle, President & CEO, expressed his enthusiasm:
“This milestone brings us closer to becoming a tier-one, pure-play, and profitable silver producer. I am immensely proud of our team’s dedication and am grateful to everyone involved in completing this expansion successfully and on budget. The strong performance indicators and continued optimization are encouraging signs as we look ahead to a full ramp-up in 2025.”
About Zgounder Mine
Located in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas mountains, approximately 260 kilometers east of Agadir, the Zgounder Mine is a high-grade silver operation that plays a key role in Aya Gold & Silver’s portfolio. Following a comprehensive expansion project, the mine’s throughput capacity has increased from 700 tpd to 2,000 tpd, with an expected annual production of 6.8 million ounces of silver.
The mine benefits from robust infrastructure, including paved roads connecting it to nearby towns, and covers a 16 km² area under mining permits, with additional exploration licenses spanning 350 km².
Aya Gold & Silver’s growth path
Aya Gold & Silver, headquartered in Canada, is the only TSX-listed company exclusively focused on silver production. In addition to its flagship Zgounder Mine, the company is advancing exploration along Morocco’s South-Atlas Fault and developing the Tijirit Gold Project in Mauritania through its spinout entity, Mx2 Mining.
With sustainability and governance at the core of its operations, Aya is committed to maximizing shareholder value while delivering long-term growth.
This announcement solidifies Aya Gold & Silver’s position as a leading silver producer, showcasing its ability to execute large-scale projects and meet ambitious production targets. The company’s progress at Zgounder underscores its commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth in the mining sector.
