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Mexico
Santa Elena Mine

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 Location:
150 km NE from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

  Address:
Gral Mariano Escobedo 149, San Benito
Hermosillo
Sonora, Mexico
83190
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  • Overview
  • Owners
  • Geology
  • Mining
  • Processing
  • Production
  • Reserves
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  • Filings & News

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Overview

StageProduction
Mine TypeUnderground
Commodities
  • Silver
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Mechanized Cut & Fill
  • Longhole stoping
  • Avoca
Processing
  • Counter current decantation (CCD)
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Merrill–Crowe
  • Cyanide (reagent)
Mine Life7 years (as of Jan 1, 2015)
Latest NewsFirst Majestic Provides Update on Operations in Response to COVID-19     April 3, 2020


Owners & OPERATOR

Source: p. 40, 214
CompanyInterestOwnership
First Majestic Silver Corp. 100 % Indirect
Nusantara de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (operator) 100 % Direct
The Santa Elena mine is owned and operated by the Company’s wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, Nusantara de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

Deposit Type

  • Breccia pipe / Stockwork
  • Vein / narrow vein


Summary:

Mineralization at Santa Elena occurs as a series of replacement veins, stockwork and hydrothermal breccias typical of other low-sulphidation epithermal deposits found in the Sierra Madre, and elsewhere in the world. Similar deposits include the La Colorada deposit in Sonora Mexico, Pinos Altos deposit in Chihuahua Mexico, El Pennon deposit in Chile, and those deposits occurring in the Midas and Oatman districts of Nevada and Arizona in the USA. These deposits form in predominantly sub-aerial felsic volcanic complexes in extensional and strikeslip structural regimes. Samples previously collected by various parties, including SilverCrest, show a geochemical signature consistent with a high calcium, high level, low-sulphidation system (Au-Ag-Sb-Pb-Zn-BaCa-Mn).

The Santa Elena deposit contains gold and silver (typically as electrum) with minor lead, zinc and copper. The structure consists of multiple banded quartz veins and stockwork with associated adularia, fluorite, calcite and minor sulphides. Bonanza ore shoots (greater than 500 gpt silver and 30 gpt gold) appear to be locally present (hole SE-12-106 with average uncapped grades of 35.94 gpt Au and 1,027 gpt Ag over 2.37 metres, not true width) but require more definition to determine their full extent.

The permeable nature of the fractured zones has allowed partial oxidation to locally occur to maximum depth of 400 metres below the surface in selective fractured zones. Minor disseminated sulphides and possibly rhodonite have been noted at approximately 530 vertical metres.

Metal zonation appears to exist with higher grades and thicker mineralized widths near the epithermal boiling zones, one of which daylights in the open pit area. A trend of higher grades and thicker veining is apparent with a plunge of approximately 25° to the east. Drill hole SE-12-74 intersected the vein at approximately 500 vertical metres depth with an average uncapped grade of 1.56 gpt Au and 133 gpt Ag over 7 metres (not calculated as true width) along this plunging trend from the current open pit operation.

Zonation also appears to correspond to northwest-trending structures that cross-cut the Main Mineralized Zone forming high grade shoots. Vertical zonation shows gold content consistent with depth and silver content increasing. At the surface, the silver to gold ratio is 20:1. At 500 m below surface, the ratio is approximately 100:1.

Minor sulphides have been observed in a few locations within the mineralized zone. The andesite in the hanging wall shows disseminated pyrite averaging 5%. Calcite is found in close proximity to pyrite and averages about the same. Select locations in the hanging wall show +30% finely disseminated pyrite spatially associated with +30% disseminated and veinlet calcite. Hydrothermal breccias exist in the hanging wall andesite proximal to the Main Zone with drill holes intersecting up to 200 m of breccia with a pyrite/calcite matrix. Selective sampling shows some anomalous lead, zinc and copper, suggesting a possible mineralized intrusive (porphyry) at depth.

Alteration within the deposit is widespread and pervasive with the most significant being silicification, kaolinization, and chloritization. Kaolin and alunite occur primarily along deeply weathered and oxidize structures and the fractured-andesite contact. Limonite within the oxide zone consists of a brick-red colour after pyrite, brown goethite and local yellow jarosite. Manganese occurs locally as pyrolusite and minor psilomelane near the surface.

Gangue minerals consist of quartz, calcite, adularia, chlorite and fluorite. Black calcite can be a significant gangue mineral found within the Main Mineralized Zone. Analyses shows calcite content of up to approximately 15% which has a direct metallurgical benefit for processing ore.


Mining Methods

  • Mechanized Cut & Fill
  • Longhole stoping
  • Avoca


Summary:

Avoca mining consists of an undercut level and an overcut level. The cross-cuts are in waste and connect the main transport drift to one end of the stope, after which ore development is completed along the length of the stope. The overcut level contains a backfill drift which goes to the opposite end of the stope. With Avoca Long Hole Stoping method, there is no limit to the length of the stope, and two tasks are occurring at once. First, ore is drilled by longhole and then drawn off in retreating vertical slices. Second, unconsolidated backfill is placed over the bench through the back of the stope from the drift in the footwall.

Where the mineralized zone is dipping at, or steeper than 55°, the stopes are designed at 25 metre vertical heights, with no sublevels. A sill pillar will beestablished on the 575 metre level. Long hole stoping has proceeded longitudinally and upwards along the defined mineralized zone. Stability within in the mining will be established during as-built development and stope by stope basis.

Where the dip of ore body results in stopes with a footwall inclination of less than 55°, long hole stoping will not be suitable due to the increased length of blastholes, potential blast hole inaccuracy and the potential for ore to hang up on the footwall. SilverCrest has thus considered mechanized cut and fill mining for these areas. The lower east portion of the reserve model has been assessed to have conditions conducive to cut and fill mining.

Once each cut is mined out, it will be filled with cemented rock fill, which can include tailings and waste rock from ongoing underground development. Dilution from hanging wall geotechnical failure will be minimal with cut and fill mining because there will be limited exposure to the hanging wall during mining. Support will be required for the exposed cut back (roof) of each cut during mining, for safety of personnel operating machinery and working in the stopes.

The ore will typically be mined in 5 m etre high cuts, with each cut silled out from hanging wall to footwall. Each cut will be accessed by attack ramps from the footwall development drifts. Once the cut has been filled all the way back into the attack ramp, the brow of the ramp is slashed into, and another cut can begin. This process will continue until the attack ramp grade becomes too steep for ore haulage. The orebody is then accessed from a higher footwall development.

Trucks will backhaul fill material from tailings and waste rock stockpiles on surface, when rock is not available from underground development. This material will be mixed with water and 5% cement to create a consolidated fill, and be placed in the stopes via scoop tram.


Crushing and Grinding


Processing

  • Counter current decantation (CCD)
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Merrill–Crowe
  • Cyanide (reagent)

Flow Sheet: Subscription required

Summary:

The Santa Elena Mine is currently reprocessing of heap leaching material using a new fully commissioned Merrill Crowe/CCD processing facility. The Santa Elena Project involves combined processing of ore from the remaining reserves in the open pit, updated reserves from underground development and reprocessing of spent ore from the existing heap leach pad.

As detailed in the Santa Elena Report, extensive metallurgical test work including ongoing operations data show that all declared Mineral Reserves are amenable to conventional leaching by standard CCD milling with a Merrill-Crowe recovery system for doré bar production.

Santa Elena ore (Open Pit, Underground and Leach Pad) contains an estimated grade of 1.23 g/t Au and 78.4 g/t Ag and after crushing and grinding can be leached in cyanide to yield approximately 92% Au recovery and 67.5% Ag recovery. Because of the relatively high level of silver in the ore (and hence solutions) there are advantages and benefits to ........

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter2019201820172016
Silver Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Gold Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Silver Head Grade, g/t 8692
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Production:

CommodityUnits20202019201820172016
Silver koz  ......  Subscription required ^  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required2,2822,599
Gold koz  ......  Subscription required ^  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Silver Equivalent koz  ......  Subscription required ^  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
All production numbers are expressed as metal in doré. ^ Guidance / Forecast.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operational Metrics:

Metrics2019201820172016
Tonnes milled  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required988,060 t
Daily milling capacity  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required3,000 t
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Reserves at December 31, 2018:

CategoryOreTypeTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Proven Total 2,028 kt Silver 113 g/t 7,340 koz
Proven Total 2,028 kt Gold 1.58 g/t 103.2 koz
Proven Total 2,028 kt Silver Equivalent 238 g/t 15,520 koz
Probable Total 1,924 kt Silver 56 g/t 3,450 koz
Probable Total 1,924 kt Gold 1.04 g/t 64.3 koz
Probable Total 1,924 kt Silver Equivalent 138 g/t 8,540 koz
Proven & Probable Total 3,953 kt Silver 85 g/t 10,790 koz
Proven & Probable Total 3,953 kt Gold 1.32 g/t 167.5 koz
Proven & Probable Total 3,953 kt Silver Equivalent 189 g/t 24,060 koz
Measured Total 2,508 kt Silver 132 g/t 10,640 koz
Measured Total 2,508 kt Gold 1.84 g/t 148.7 koz
Measured Total 2,508 kt Silver Equivalent 280 g/t 22,550 koz
Indicated Total 2,797 kt Silver 74 g/t 6,590 koz
Indicated Total 2,797 kt Gold 1.98 g/t 178.1 koz
Indicated Total 2,797 kt Silver Equivalent 232 g/t 20,870 koz
Measured & Indicated Total 5,306 kt Silver 101 g/t 17,230 koz
Measured & Indicated Total 5,306 kt Gold 1.92 g/t 326.8 koz
Measured & Indicated Total 5,306 kt Silver Equivalent 255 g/t 43,420 koz
Inferred Total 5,568 kt Silver 64 g/t 11,520 koz
Inferred Total 5,568 kt Gold 2.98 g/t 534.2 koz
Inferred Total 5,568 kt Silver Equivalent 303 g/t 54,290 koz

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Credits (by-product) Silver USD -23.6 / oz -18.7 / oz -20.47 / oz
Cash costs Silver USD 21.4 / oz 16 / oz 16.8 / oz
Total cash costs Silver USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 22.1 / oz 16.6 / oz 17.6 / oz
Total cash costs Silver USD  ......  Subscription required ^†  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required† -1.54 / oz† -2.09 / oz† -2.84 / oz†
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Silver USD  ......  Subscription required ^†  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required† 2.22 / oz† 1.75 / oz† 1.44 / oz†
^ Guidance / Forecast.
† Net of By-Product.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operating Costs:

Units20192018201720162015
Combined mining costs ($/t milled) USD 19.315.115.9
Processing costs ($/t milled) USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Total operating costs ($/t milled) USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Financials:

Units20192018201720162015
Sustaining costs M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Capital expenditures M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 3  
Revenue M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 26.7  
Operating Income M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 7.37  
Subscription required - Subscription is required


Heavy Mobile Equipment as of January 10, 2015:
HME TypeModelSizeQuantity
Drill (long hole) ....................... Subscription required 130 kW 1
Drill jumbo (single boom) 110 kW 2
Grader 82 kW 1
Scissor Lift 69 kW 1
Scoop Tram ....................... Subscription required 276 kW 5
Underground truck 20 t 6
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 22, 2019
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Corporate Filings & Presentations:

DocumentYear
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
Corporate Presentation 2017
Form 40-F 2017
Annual Report 2016
Financial Review 2016
Form 40-F 2016
Project Description 2016
Form 40-F 2015
Pre-Feasibility Study Report 2015
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

News:

NewsDate
First Majestic Provides Update on Operations in Response to COVID-19 April 3, 2020
First Majestic Announces High-Grade Drill Results from 2018 Exploration Program at the Ermitaño Silver/Gold Project; Permitting Status Update February 25, 2019
First Majestic Silver Updates Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates March 29, 2018

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