Zgounder Silver Mine Has Record Breaking Year

MONTREAL - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. reported that Zgounder Silver Mine, in the Kingdom of Morocco, had silver (Ag) production of 661,621 ounces (oz) in Q4-2022, a 52.5% increase compared with Q4-2021. Processed 63,283 tonnes ("t") of ore at a head grade of 364 grams per tonne ("g/t"), a 46.8% increase in head grade compared with Q4-2021. Silver recovery was of 89.9% in Q4-2022, a 7.5% increase compared with Q4-2021, with a combined mill availability of 88.8% in Q4-2022. Mine production of was 80,426 t of ore in Q4-2022, a 28.4% increase compared with Q4-2021.

The annual silver production of 1,880,707 oz in 2022, a 17.5% increase compared with 2021, slightly above guidance. Processed 254,976 t of ore, at 265 g/t in 2022; a 13.6% increase in tonnes processed compared with 2021. Combined silver recovery was 86.6% in 2022, a 4.5% increase compared with 2021, with combined mill availability of 91.7% in 2022. The mine production of 283,090 t of ore in 2022, a 29.3% increase compared with 2021.

"2022 was another record-breaking year at Zgounder with our mining operations performing ahead of guidance in Q4-2022," said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO. "It was also a significant year for mine development and infrastructure buildout, which is critical to the Zgounder mine expansion and provided access to new stopes at the "1950m" mine level. An expanded drill exploration program at both Zgounder and Boumadine will be conducted during 2023 with an objective of providing significant growth and delivering value to all stakeholders."