Fortuna commences stacking ore on the heap leach pad at the Lindero gold Project, Argentina
Fortuna commences stacking ore on the heap leach pad at the Lindero gold
Project, Argentina
Vancouver, July 16, 2020-- Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) is pleased to report the
successful completion of commissioning of the primary and secondary crushing circuits and the start of
stacking ore on the heap leach pad at the Lindero gold Project, located in the Province of Salta, Argentina.
Jorge A. Ganoza, President, CEO and Director, commented, “The successful commissioning of the primary
and secondary crushing circuits and the start of stacking ore on the heap leach pad are key and much
awaited milestones at Lindero.” Mr. Ganoza continued, “Our project team is delivering on schedule and
budget according to the revised plan, d espite the challenges and limitations of carrying on construction
activities under COVID-19 related constraints.” Mr. Ganoza concluded, “The next upcoming milestone is
the start of heap irrigation which is scheduled for the end of August.”
Construction and commissioning activities at Lindero are advancing according to the plan outlined in the
Company’s news release dated May 8, 2020.
Highlights:
• As at the end of June 2020, the overall project is 97% complete
• Primary and secondary crushing circuits: The crushers have been successfully commissioned and
the ramp-up phase has started
• Ore stacking: Ore stacking on the initial irrigation cell at the heap leach pad commenced on
July 10, 2020
• Ore irrigation and leaching: Ore irrigation and leaching of the heap is planned to commence at
the end of August 2020
• First gold pour: Planned for the end of the third quarter of 2020
Ore crushing and stacking
The ramp-up phase of the primary and secondary crushing circuits will involve an increase in production
until nominal rates of 18,750 tonnes per day are achieved. The Company expects to achieve nominal rate
production in the fourth quarter of 2020; inclusive of the tertiary HPGR system and agglomeration plant.
Ore stacking on the initial irrigation cell at the heap leach pad began on July 10 . H eap irrigation is
scheduled to commence at the end of August.
Ore for the commissioning and initial ramp-up of the crushing circuit and stacking on the heap leach pad
is being sourced from the medium grade coarse ore stockpile inventory , of approximately 1.0 million
tonnes averaging 0.55 g/t gold (refer to Fortuna news releases dated January 13, 2020 and April 14, 2020).
During the period from July 2020 to December 2020, an estimated 1.7 million to 1.9 million tonnes of ore
-2-
are scheduled to be placed on the leach pad with an average gold grade of 1.00 g/t to 1.10 g/t . The
estimated stripping ratio during this period is 0.68 to 0.75 (refer to Fortuna news release dated May 8,
2020).
Final construction activities related to the process ponds, ADR and SART plants continues with electrical
and piping installations progressing according to plan. The process pond and ADR plant electric rooms
have been energized. Pre-commissioning of the solution handling system started on July 11, 2020 with
the barren pond pumping equipment.
About the Lindero gold Project, Argentina
In September 2017, the commencement of construction at Lindero was officially launched ( refer to
Fortuna news releases dated September 21, 2017 and December 21, 2017). Lindero has been designed as
an 18,750 tonnes per day owner operated open pit mine with a pit life of 13 years based on current
Mineral Reserves. Crushed ore will be placed on a leach pad with the pregnant solution pumped to SART
and ADR plants prior to electrowinning and refining where gold will be poured to doré bars.
Management expects total construction capital expenditures of between $314.0 million and $320.0
million as per the updated construction and commissioning schedule (refer to Fortuna’s news release
dated May 8, 2020 ). This represents an increase of 28 percent from the September 2017 feasibility
estimate. The technical report of the Lindero Project is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the
Company's website at https://fortunasilver.com/site/assets/files/4098/lindero-project-technical-report-
effective-date-31-oct-2017.pdf.
Qualified Person
Amri Sinuhaji is the Technical Services Director – Mine Planning for the Company and is a Professional
Engineer registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of
British Columbia (#48305) and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101- Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Sinuhaji has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical
information contained in this news release and has verified the underlying data.
About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Fortuna is a growth oriented, precious metals producer focused on mining opportunities in Latin America.
Our primary assets are the Caylloma silver Mine in southern Peru, the San Jose silver-gold Mine in Mexico
and the Lindero go ld Project, currently under construction, in Argentina. The Company is selectively
pursuing acquisition opportunities throughout the Americas and in select other areas. For more
information, please visit our website at www.fortunasilver.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Jorge A. Ganoza
President, CEO and Director
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
-3-
Trading symbols: NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI
Investor Relations:
Carlos Baca
T (Peru): +51.1.616.6060, ext. 0
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward -looking statements which constitute “forward -looking information” within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of the
“safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “Forward -looking
Statements”). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward -looking
Statements and are subject to a variet y of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward -looking Statements. The Forward -looking
Statements in this news release may include, without limitation, stat ements about the timing of construction,
commissioning, ramp-up activities, first doré pour and production at the Lindero Project which are subject to COVID-
19related constraints , the modified construction and production timeline, the total funding requir ements, the
estimated metallurgical recovery rates, the estimated production at Lindero; the average head grades and stripping
ratios . Often, but not always, these Forward -looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as
“estimated”, “potential”, “open”, “future”, “assumed”, “projected”, “scheduled”, “used”, “detailed”, “has been”,
“gain”, “planned”, “reflecting”, “will”, “containing”, “remaining”, “to be”, or statements that events, “could” or
“should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.
Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward -looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors include,
among others, the worldwide economic and social impact of COVID-19, the duration and extent of COVID-19, changes
in general economic conditions and financial markets; the re -imposition of government restrictions on business
related to COVID-19; any positive cases of COVID -19 at the mine site which may cause a reduction or suspension in
operations and activities and which may ultimately affect and delay the modified construction and production
timeline; changes in prices for silver and other metals; technological and operational hazards in Fortuna’s mining and
mine development activities; risks inherent in mineral exploration; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral
reserves, mineral resources, and metal recoveries; changes to current estimates of mineral reserves and resources;
changes to production estimates; governmental and other approvals; changes in g overnment, political unrest or
instability in countries where Fortuna is active; labor relations issues; as well as those factors discussed under “Risk
Factors” in the Company's Annual Information Form. Although the Company has attempted to identify import ant
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking
Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated,
estimated or intended.
Forward-looking Statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of
management, including but not limited to the management of the worldwide economic and social impact of COVID -
19, that the duration and extent of COVID-19 is minimized and not long -term, the expected trends in mineral prices
and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company’s current mineral resource and reserve estimates; that
the Company’s activities will be in accordance with the Company’s public statements and stated goals; that there will
be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained;
that there will be no significant disruptions affecting construction, activities and operations at Lindero, there will be
no changes in laws or regulations which may affect the Company’s operations and such other assumptions as set out
herein. Forward-looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obliga tion to
update any Forward -looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that that these Forward -looking Statements will
prove to be accurate, as actu al results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward -looking Statements.