Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver Mines reported a 20pc rise in lead production and a 7pc increase in zinc production in Q2 2021 (April-June).
Fortuna’s 100pc owned Caylloma Mine in Peru is its only unit that produces lead and zinc. The company focuses on gold and silver output. In the second quarter, Caylloma Mine produced 11.76mn lbs of zinc, 7pc higher than a year ago quarter and 8.14mn lbs of lead, 20pc more than Q2 2020 with average head grades for lead and zinc of 3.09pc and 4.58pc, respectively, which was 8pc and 9pc above estimations.
| Production | Q2 2021 | Q2 2020 | Change |
| Zinc (mn lbs) | 11.76 | 10.97 | 7% |
| Lead (mn lbs) | 8.14 | 6.77 | 20% |
Operations at Caylloma Mine were challenged with several employees testing positive for the COVID-19 virus in the first half of the year. Mine’s production guidance disclosed on January 19 includes lead production of 29 to 32mn lbs and zinc production at 44 to 49mn lbs. In 2020, the mine produced 30mn lbs of lead and 46mn lbs of zinc.