Key Milestones At The Expanded Rochester Mine
CHICAGO, IL - Coeur Mining, Inc. reported on the operational update at the expanded Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, including positive throughput trends and significant progress on reducing overall crushing size. The new three-stage crushing circuit continues to deliver greatly enhanced levels of flexibility to accommodate the full range of mined ore at Rochester. This past month, approximately 2.7 million tons were placed on the new Stage VI leach pad, representing a 39% increase over July placement levels. Rochester remains on-track to place 7.0 – 8.0 million tons per quarter during the second half of 2024 and to achieve its full-year 2024 production guidance of 4.8 – 6.6 million ounces of silver and 37,000 – 50,000 ounces of gold.
With the three-stage crusher fully ramped-up, the focus during the second half of the year has shifted to particle sizing optimization efforts, which are already exceeding expectations. The Company aims to end 2024 with reaching design particle size distribution (PSD) of approximately 80% passing 5/8 inch. Recent particle size distribution is reaching an average PSD of approximately 80% passing 3/4 inch, giving the Company confidence of achieving the year-end target.
“In just six months since first processing ore through the newly-expanded operation, the Rochester team continues to meet or exceed expectations across a number of key performance metrics, which is expected to be a key catalyst for generating Companywide positive free cash flow during the second half of the year,” said Mitchell J. Krebs, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With crushing and placement rates consistently achieving nameplate capacity, the focus over the remainder of 2024 is on continuing to reduce the material crush size to achieve optimum recovery rates as we head into 2025. Additionally, recent exploration success within the current mining footprint continues to provide higher-grade upside potential to the current mine plan and positions Rochester for sustained success over a long expected mine life.”