Silvercorp Metals Inc. posted production and sales figures for the quarter ended June, 2021.
The company produced approximately 1.5 million ounces of silver, 1,000 ounces of gold, 15.9 million pounds of lead, and 7.2 million pounds of zinc. It sold approximately 1.6 million ounces of silver, 1,000 ounces of gold, 16.8 million pounds of lead, and 7.3 million pounds of zinc, thereby implying year-over-year decreases of -12%, -9%, and -20%, respectively, in silver, gold and lead sold, and an increase of +4% in zinc sold.
The quarter’s production decrease was largely due to Silvercorp’s mining contracts renewal negotiations at the Ying Mining District. On March 31, 2021, the company's two-year mining contracts with the eight mining contractors at the Ying Mining District expired and the parties reached a temporary two-month extension. During negotiations, some contract workers took breaks or left leading to some disruption in mining activity. When the contracts were renewed for an additional two year term in mid May 2021, it took some time for the contractors to boost the operations back up to full capacity.
Nevertheless, Silvercorp. expects to increase production in the remaining three quarters. It projects annual production between 6.3 - 6.6 million ounces of silver, 65.7 – 68.9 million pounds of lead, and 26.9 – 28.5 million pounds of zinc in Fiscal 2022.