Sierra Metals Cu, Zn output rises in 2Q

Canada-based Sierra Metals' copper production surged by 62pc in the second quarter while zinc output gained by 10pc from a year earlier.

Payable copper output rose to 8.6mn lbs from 5.3mn lbs a year earlier. Zinc production climbed to 20.3mn lbs from 18.5mn lbs. Lead output fell by 16pc to 7.1mn lbs.

Sierra Metals achieved record quarterly throughput at its copper/zinc/lead Yauricocha mine in Peru and the cooper-producing Bolivar mine in Mexico. Planned refurbishment at the Mascota shaft at Yauricocha in the third quarter may slow production rates.

Sierra's zinc/lead Cusi mine in Mexico is also on track to boost output this year as the addition of another ball mill will nearly double the mill's capacity to 1,200 t/day.

The company plans to complete a tunnel at the Yauricocha mine in the third quarter, allowing the mine to have a direct run to the mill and boosting productivity.