Fortuna reports production of 2.0 million ounces of silver and 13,412 ounces of gold for third quarter of 2017
Fortuna reports production of 2.0 million ounces of silver and 13,412 ounces of gold
for third quarter of 2017
Vancouver, October 16, 2017-- Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) is pleased to announce
third quarter 2017 production results from its two operating mines in Latin America, the San Jose Mine
in Mexico and t he Caylloma Mine in Peru. The C ompany produced 2.0 million ounces of silver and
13,412 ounces of gold, plus base metal by-products. Silver and gold production for the first nine months
totaled 6.2 million ounces and 41,158 ounces respectively; being 2 percent and 5 percent above the
Company’s nine month projection. Fortuna is on schedule to produce 8.1 million ounces of silver and
52.4 thousand ounces of gold or 11.2 million Ag Eq1 ounces in 201 7 (see Fortuna news release dated
January 11, 2017).
Third Quarter Production Highlights
Silver production of 2,009,362 ounces; 4 % decrease over Q3 2016
Gold production of 13,412 ounces; 5 % decrease over Q3 2016
Lead production of 7,650,040 pounds; 3 % increase over Q3 2016
Zinc production of 11,241,371 pounds; 6 % increase over Q3 2016
Cash cost2 for San Jose is US$62.2/t
Cash cost2 for Caylloma is US$76.0/t
Consolidated Operating Highlights
Third Quarter 2017 Third Quarter 2016
Caylloma,
Peru
San Jose,
Mexico
Consolidated
Caylloma,
Peru
San Jose,
Mexico
Consolidated
Processed Ore
Tonnes milled 133,726 263,697 132,558 268,242
Average tpd milled 1,486 3,038 1,473 3,056
Silver3
Grade (g/t) 66 229 87 224
Recovery (%) 83.29 91.40 82.87 92.21
Production (oz) 234,806 1,774,556 2,009,362 308,680 1,780,825 2,089,506
Notes:
1. Ag Eq calculated using silver to gold ratio of 60 to 1 and does not include lead nor zinc
2. Preliminary estimates of cash operating costs per tonne, subject to modification on final cost consolidation
3. Metallurgical recovery for silver at Caylloma Mine is calculated based on silver contents in lead concentrate
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Third Quarter 2017 Third Quarter 2016
Caylloma,
Peru
San Jose,
Mexico
Consolidated
Caylloma,
Peru
San Jose,
Mexico
Consolidated
Gold
Grade (g/t) 0.20 1.71 0.20 1.76
Recovery (%) 19.18 91.39 18.68 92.09
Production (oz) 164 13,248 13,412 160 13,951 14,111
Lead
Grade (%) 2.87 2.71
Recovery (%) 90.54 94.02
Production (lbs) 7,650,040 7,650,040 7,451,624 7,451,624
Zinc
Grade (%) 4.26 4.09
Recovery (%) 89.60 88.83
Production (lbs) 11,241,371 11,241,371 10,606,439 10,606,439
San Jose Mine, Mexico
The San Jose Mine produced 1,774,556 ounces of silver and 13,248 ounces of gold in the third quarter,
4 % and 7 % above budget respectively. Silver and gold production for the first nine months totaled 5.5
million ounces and 40,773 ounces respectively; being 2 % and 5 % above the mine ’s nine month
projection. Average head grades for silver and gold in the third quarter were 229 g/t and 1.71 g/t, 4 %
and 6 % above budget respectively.
Mine production was sourced from Trinidad Central and Trinidad North with each area contributing
53 % and 47 % of ore respectively. The processing plant treated 3,038 tpd.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
The Caylloma Mine produced 234,806 ounces of silver in the third quarter, 6 % below budget. Average
silver head grade of 66 g/t, 9 % below budget, was offset by high er metallurgical recovery of 83.29 %,
4 % above budget . Silver production for the first nine months totaled 704,624 ounces; 2 % below the
mine’s nine month projection.
Lead and zinc production were 7,650,040 pounds and 11,241,371 pounds respectively, 3 % below
budget and 5 % above budget. Base metals production for the first nine months totaled 22,030,794
pounds of lead and 32,670,303 pounds of zinc ; being 1 % and 7 % above the mine’s nine month
projection. Average head grades for lead and zinc in the third quarter were 2.87 % and 4.26 %, in line
with budget and 7 % above budget respectively.
Mine production was sourced primarily from the Animas NE and Animas Central areas with each
contributing 65 % and 34 % of ore respectively. The processing plant treated 1,486 tpd.
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Qualified Person
Edwin A. Gutierrez, Technical Services Corporate Manager, is the Qualified Person for Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc. as defined by National Instrument 43 -101. Mr. Gutierrez is a Registered Member of the
Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. (SME Registered Member Number 4119110RM) and
is responsible for ensuring that the information contained in this news release is an accurate summary
of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Fortuna Silver Mines.
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 Lin dero gold Project 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.
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 variety 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, statements about the Company’s plans for its
mines and mineral properties; the Company’s business strategy, plans and outlook; the merit of the Company’s
mines and mineral properties; mineral resource and reserve estimates; timelines; the future financial or operating
performance of the Company; expenditures; approvals and other matters. Often, but not always, these Forward
looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as “estimated”, “potential”, “open”, “future”,
“assumed”, “projected”, “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.
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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, changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; 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; governmental and other approvals; 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 important 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 ar e based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of
management, including but not limited to expectations regarding mine production costs; expected trends in
mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company’s current mi neral 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 operations and such other
assumptions as set out herein. Forward looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company
disclaims any obligation 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 Forward looking
Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could dif fer materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward looking
Statements.