Mid-Q4 Production Update

Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd.

12 December 2023

 

 Guanajuato Silver Provides Mid-Q4 Production Update

Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. (the "Company" or "GSilver") (TSXV:GSVR)(OTCQX:GSVRF) is pleased to provide an operations update prior to year-end 2023. Production results are generated from the Company's wholly owned El Cubo Mines Complex ("El Cubo"), Valenciana Mines Complex ("VMC"), and San Ignacio Mine ("San Ignacio") in Guanajuato, Mexico, and the Topia Mine ("Topia") in Durango, Mexico.  

November Production Results Demonstrate Improved Performance

During the second and third quarters of 2023, the Company completed several changes to operations at all of GSilver's producing silver mines. (See GSilver news release dated November 24, 2023 - "Guanajuato Silver Reports Q3 2023 Financial and Operating Results"). Most notably:

·    Mining operations were adjusted at El Cubo to significantly increase the number of available mining stopes.

·    Dewatering commenced at El Cubo to access higher-grade mineralized zones located in deeper areas of the Villalpando section of the mine.

·    The business model at Topia was changed to center on purchasing mineralized material from underground contract miners and local operators.

Results from October to the end of November have demonstrated improvements across almost all measurable categories.

¹Silver equivalents are calculated using an 84.85:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05  (Ag/Zn) ratio for November and an 85.70:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04 Ag/Pb), and 0.05 (Ag/Zn) ratio for October.

James Anderson, Chairman & CEO of Guanajuato Silver, said, "As previously reported, we have adjusted several operating procedures and made significant capex investments designed to increase efficiencies and better overall commercial performance. Results to date are very encouraging; we appear to be back on track in terms of the progress of the ramp-up at El Cubo as we have increased the available production stopes there from 10 to 23; also, our new business model at Topia is generating much healthier economics. At San Ignacio, November was the best single month on record regarding tonnes mined.  We are confident that the trajectory of this success will continue well into the New Year."

Decision to Transition to Dry Stack

After a comprehensive internal review, Guanajuato Silver has decided to proceed with the installation of a dry stack tailings facility at the Company's wholly owned El Cubo Mines Complex. A dry stack tailings facility employs a filter press that will extract approximately 82% of the water from the tailings generated during mineral processing; this water can then be reused and recycled continuously. The "dry" tailings process is much easier to rehabilitate, reduces future environmental impact and, increases overall safety for local communities by increasing the structural integrity of the tailings deposit, and would extend the tailings capacity at El Cubo by an estimated 18 to 20 years. GSilver anticipates the start of production of the new dry stack facility to commence in H2 2024, and the Company will provide more details on specific timing later in 2024.

James Anderson, Chairman & CEO, added, "Transitioning our El Cubo tailings to a dry stack technique further enhances Guanajuato Silver's commitment to become one of Mexico's most environmentally friendly mining companies. This decision to move away from the current Mastrantos basin system at El Cubo will add up to 20 years of tailings capacity, while confirming our commitment to employ the best and most environmentally sound contemporary mining techniques."

Caption: Guanajuato Silver's current Mastrantos tailings basins at El Cubo. Mastrantos IIIB is currently active.  

Technical Information

Reynaldo Rivera, VP of Exploration of GSilver, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Rivera is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM - Registration Number 220979) and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For further information regarding Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., please contact:

JJ Jennex, Gerente de Comunicaciones, T: 604 723 1433

E: [e-mail]

Gsilver.com

VSA Capital - AQSE Corporate Adviser

T: [phone]

Simon Barton - Corporate Finance

Thomas Jackson - Corporate Finance

Andrew Monk - Corporate Broking

David Scriven - Corporate Broking

About Guanajuato Silver

GSilver is a precious metals producer engaged in reactivating past producing silver and gold mines in central Mexico. The Company produces silver and gold concentrates from the El Cubo Mine Complex, Valenciana Mines Complex, and the San Ignacio mine; all three mines are located within the state of Guanajuato, which has an established 480-year mining history. Additionally, the Company produces silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates from the Topia mine in northwestern Durango. With four operating mines and three processing facilities, Guanajuato Silver is one of the fastest growing silver producers in Mexico. 

 

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