Excellon intends to bring its Mexican mines back online at the end of the month when the country’s government lifts its moratorium on activities.
In Q1 2020, the company grew its lead production by 37pc to 1.9mn lb (862mt) from 1.4mn lb in Q1 2019 at its Platosa Mine in Durango, Mexico. Zinc output at the mine, fell by 4pc to 2.1mn lb from 2.2mn lb during the same quarter last year.
Lead ore grades improved in Q1 2020 to 5.44pc from 5.01pc during the same period a year ago, while zinc decreased to 6.78pc last quarter from 8pc in Q1 2019. Excellon’s lead recovery in Q1 2020 was 82.8pc, rising from 74.6pc during the first quarter of the previous year while zinc recovery decreased to 74.9pc from 78.1pc during the same period under comparison.
The company noted that ongoing milling adjustments affected zinc recoveries.
Brendan Cahill, Excellon’s president and chief executive officer, said the company began 2020 on a strong note as it looked to maintain its quarterly production growth trajectory. However, when Mexico’s government locked down the country, the company implemented some cost saving measures, including switching to a private electrical energy provider, developing an underground communications system for to augment the dewatering system, and install a new ERP system.