Business News Americas
Silver production at Mexico City-based Fresnillo (LSE, BMV: FRES) dipped slightly in 2012 due to declining ore grades at the Fresnillo mine in Zacatecas state.
Fresnillo, the world’s largest primary silver producer, reported production of 41Moz for the year, compared to 41.9Moz in 2011.
The figures include Silverstream production which remained stable at 4Moz.
Production at the Fresnillo mine was down 12.9% at 26.4Moz (2011 30.3Moz) as average ore grade fell 17.2% to 328g/t, the company said in a production statement on Tuesday (Jan 22), with further declines towards 281g/t expected through the remaining life of the mine.