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Mexico
San Sebastian Mine

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 Location:
9 km E from Emiliano Zapata, Durango, Mexico

  Regional Office:
Av 20 de Noviembre 519
Durango
Mexico
34000
Phone  ...  Subscription required
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  • Overview
  • Owners
  • Geology
  • Mining
  • Processing
  • Production
  • Reserves
  • Costs & Financials
  • Fleet
  • Personnel
  • Filings & News

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Overview

StageProduction
Mine TypeOpen Pit / Underground
Commodities
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Lead
  • Zinc
  • Copper
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Cut & Fill
Processing
  • Agitated tank (VAT) leaching
  • Counter current decantation (CCD)
  • Merrill–Crowe
  • Cyanide (reagent)
Mine Life0.8 years (as of Jan 1, 2020)
An orderly wind-down of the operations are underway to comply with the Government of Mexico’s order to suspend operations until April 30, 2020. San Sebastian expects to maintain a minimum complement of workers to protect the facilities and environment while operations are suspended.
Latest NewsHecla Reports Strong Production and Cash Generation     July 10, 2020


Owners

Source: p. 2
CompanyInterestOwnership
Hecla Mining Company 100 % Indirect
Minera Hecla S.A. de C.V 100 % Direct
The Property, which includes the San Sebastian and Andrea projects, is 100% owned by Hecla through its Mexican subsidiary, Minera Hecla S.A. de C.V (Minera Hecla).

Deposit Type

  • Epithermal
  • Vein / narrow vein


Summary:

Mineralization at the Property occurs in an epithermal setting at various paleo-depths. Known mineralization, occurs in high-level vein systems (Don Sergio-Andrea Vein and Antonella Vein), intermediate-level vein systems (North Vein, Esperanza Vein, and Orona Vein), and deep-level vein systems (Francine Vein-Hugh Zone). Highgrade gold and silver occur both in the very shallow epithermal environment in the upper 350 m of the crust (Don Sergio Vein), as well as deep in the root zones of a silver-gold-lead-zinc vein at depths between 600 and 1,130 m below the paleo water table (Francine Vein-Hugh Zone).

The upper levels of the epithermal systems at the Saladillo district are characterized by silicification and argillic alteration as seen in the rhyolite volcanics to the north of the San Sebastian resource area and at La Roca. This type of upper level alteration is common in many epithermal vein systems in Mexico and is the result of oxidation and condensation of magmatic gasses in the vadose above the paleo-water table. This indicates that mineralization at the Property is likely to be related to an interpreted deep magmatic source intrusion. Mineralization at the Property occurs in both low-sulfidation and intermediate-sulfidationstyles of epithermal veins. The Andrea Vein, North Vein, and the historically mined portions of the Don Sergio Vein and the upper and peripheral portions of the historically mined Francine Vein are low-sulfidation style Ag-Au veins. The bulk of the Francine Vein and the deeper Hugh Zone consist of an intermediate sulfidation style of epithermal polymetallic mineralization. The Middle Vein is dominated by a low-sulfidation style Ag-Au epithermal vein with some gradation to intermediate-sulfidation style mineralization at depth.

Due to the presence of carbonates in the northern portion of the San Sebastian project area, the Saladillo district potentially may host other styles of mineralization, including skarn and Carbonate Replacement Deposit (CRD) mineralization. However, to date only epithermal veins have been identified at the Property.


Mining Methods

  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
  • Cut & Fill


Summary:

Access to both underground workings was through ramps from the surface connecting one or more levels. Ore was mined by the cut-and-fill stoping method and extracted from the stopes using rubber- tired equipment and hauled to the surface in trucks.

Recent exploration success on the Middle, North, and East Francine veins and completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment lead to the decision in the third quarter of 2015 to develop shallow open pit mines on those veins, with development commencing in the fourth quarter of 2015. Ore production from the Middle and East Francine veins commenced late in the fourth quarter of 2015, and from the North Vein in the first quarter of 2016. Production from the current pits concluded in December 2017. An extension of the North Vein pit is planned, with surface ore production anticipated to resume in mid-2018. The pits were extended to a maximum of approximately 270 feet in depth. Near-surface material is excavated, with drill and blast techniques used for deeper material. Total production from the expanded North Vein pit is anticipated to range from 1,000 to 17,000 tons of ore per month over approximately 20 months, with variable quantities of waste, for total ore production of approximately 150,000 tons. Production was achieved through excavating and drilling and blasting the shallow-dipping, high-grade silver veins which carried significant gold credits. Third-party contractors are used for mining from the pits.

In January 2017, work commenced to build a new underground decline and rehabilitate historical underground workings at the San Sebastian mine, in order to mine deeper ore from the Middle Vein. Limited underground production began in January 2018 using third-party contractors, and is anticipated to total approximately 263,000 tons over 2 years. We expect to mine ore by the cut- and-fill stoping method and for the ore to be extracted from the stopes using rubber-tired equipment and hauled to the surface in trucks.


Crushing and Grinding


Processing

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

Flow Sheet: Subscription required

Summary:

Run of mine ore is hauled in trucks by contractors to a processing facility near Velardeña, Durango, Mexico, which is located approximately 60 miles from the San Sebastian mine site. Hecla Mining Company previously owned the Velardeña mill, but now use it to process ore under a lease arrangement. Processing of ore from the open pits averaged approximately 391 tons per day in 2016, with recovery of approximately 94% silver and gold. As of December 31, 2016, Hecla have the ability to extend the lease through 2018. The mill is a conventional leach, counter-current decantation and Merrill Crowe precipitation circuit capable of processing up to approximately 550 tons per day, depending on ore hardness. The ore is crushed in a two-staged crushing plant consisting of a primary jaw, a secondary cone crusher and a doubledeck vibrating screen. The grinding circuit includes a primary ball mill and cyclone classifiers. The ground ore is thickened followed by agitated leaching and four stages of ........

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter20192018201720162015
Silver Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Silver Head Grade, oz/ton 11.814.123.931.913.7
Gold Recovery Rate, %  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Gold Head Grade, oz/ton 0.110.110.180.250.15
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Production:

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Silver koz  ......  Subscription required ^  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required3,2584,29482
Gold oz  ......  Subscription required ^  ......  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:

Metrics20192018201720162015
Tonnes milled  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required143,267 tons6,602 tons
Daily milling rate  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required391 tons
Daily milling capacity  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required550 tons
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Reserves at December 31, 2019:

CategoryTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Proven 35 k tons Silver 4.8 oz/ton 166 koz
Proven 35 k tons Gold 0.08 oz/ton 3 koz
Probable 66 k tons Silver 10.9 oz/ton 716 koz
Probable 66 k tons Gold 0.07 oz/ton 5 koz
Proven & Probable 100 k tons Silver 8.8 oz/ton 881 koz
Proven & Probable 100 k tons Gold 0.08 oz/ton 8 koz
Indicated 2,846 k tons Silver 6.3 oz/ton 17,952 koz
Indicated 2,846 k tons Gold 0.05 oz/ton 155 koz
Indicated 2,846 k tons Lead 2.2 % 30,300 tons
Indicated 2,846 k tons Zinc 3.3 % 45,660 tons
Indicated 2,846 k tons Copper 1.4 % 19,900 tons
Inferred 3,518 k tons Silver 6.3 oz/ton 22,189 koz
Inferred 3,518 k tons Gold 0.04 oz/ton 147 koz
Inferred 3,518 k tons Lead 1.7 % 13,250 tons
Inferred 3,518 k tons Zinc 2.4 % 19,200 tons
Inferred 3,518 k tons Copper 0.9 % 7,440 tons

Commodity Production Costs:

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Credits (by-product) Silver USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required -9.71 / oz -9.94 / oz -11.36 / oz
Cash costs Silver USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 6.35 / oz 6.59 / oz 18.1 / oz
Cash costs Silver USD  ......  Subscription required ^†  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required† -3.36 / oz† -3.35 / oz† 6.71 / oz†
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Silver USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 9.45 / oz 7.95 / oz 23.4 / oz
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Silver USD  ......  Subscription required ^†  ......  Subscription required†  ......  Subscription required† -0.26 / oz† -1.99 / oz† 12 / oz†
^ Guidance / Forecast.
† Net of By-Product.
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Operating Costs:

Units20192018201720162015
UG mining costs ($/ton milled) USD 129.91
Combined mining costs ($/ton milled) USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Processing costs ($/ton milled) USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Financials:

Units20192018201720162015
Capital expenditures M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required 4.62  
Operating Income M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required -9.27  
Gross profit M USD  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required  ......  Subscription required
Subscription required - Subscription is required


Proposed Heavy Mobile Equipment as of September 8, 2015:
HME TypeModelSizeQuantity
Dozer ....................... Subscription required 3
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required 2
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required 3
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required 1
....................... Subscription required 1
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required 8
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Mine Management:

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Sep 22, 2020
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Sep 22, 2020
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

Staff:

EmployeesYear
Subscription required 2019
Subscription required 2018
Subscription required 2017

Corporate Filings & Presentations:

DocumentYear
................................... Subscription required 2020
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2019
................................... Subscription required 2018
................................... Subscription required 2018
Form 10-K 2017
Form 10-K 2016
Press Release 2016
Annual Report 2015
Form 10-K 2015
Technical Report 2015
Subscription required - Subscription is required.

News:

NewsDate
Hecla Reports Strong Production and Cash Generation July 10, 2020

Aerial view:

Subscription required - Subscription is required.

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