Endeavour’s Terronera silver-gold mine in Mexico nears 65% completion

Vancouver-based Endeavour’s US$271 million Terronera underground silver and gold mine in Mexico's Jalisco state reached 64.5% completion as of end-June, up from 50% at end-March.

Overall project progress – mine development and surface construction – reached 64.5% completion, with more than US$204mn of the project's budget spent to date. Project commitments total US$260mn, 96% of the total capital budget, the company stated in a release.

The Canadian miner said that progress on surface construction has reached 77% completion, and the Terronera project remains on track for commissioning in 4Q24.

“Construction is well past the halfway mark and site activities are beginning to peak,” COO Don Gray said. “We are very pleased with the advance at the upper platform, which should be ready for dry commissioning in Q3 2024. We are concentrating resources on the lower platform to finalize earthworks and begin concrete works in early Q3.” 

Gray reported that underground mine development continues to advance in line with expectations, as the miner accessed ore in the second quarter. 

Regarding mine development, the company said that in April-June, over 1,270m was developed underground, reaching a total of nearly 4,500m.

“We are extremely pleased with our Terronera team and their progress. With project completion in sight, our focus has expanded to implementing our business readiness plan as we prepare for operating Endeavour's next core asset,” the COO said.

According to Endeavour, excavation for the tailings storage facility embankment key trench was over 95% complete and the lower platform area was nearly 50% complete. Concrete work on the lower platform is scheduled to start in early Q3.

“Bulk materials purchase orders have been released, and lead times are aligned with the current schedule. The procurement team has focused on critical path purchases, such as electrical components and transfer chutes, and reducing bulk material lead times to increase schedule float,” the firm stated. 

At the end of Q2, the workforce increased to over 190 Endeavour employees and more than 700 contractor workers.

NEXT STEPS

In Q3, Endeavour expects surface construction to continue to focus on mechanical, piping and electrical installations. “Completing the lower platform excavation is anticipated to be no later than mid-Q3 2024. Concrete work for the tailing and concentrate filtration areas is expected to begin in early Q3 2024, with the LNG and power generation areas to follow”.

The company anticipates commissioning to take place using temporary power with the LNG and power generation to be operational subsequent to commissioning. 

“The temporary power has been planned and is expected to be available for Q4. Concentrate and tailing filtration structural, mechanical, and electrical installations will commence as concrete work is completed.”