GOLDEN, Colo., April 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Minerals Company (NYSE American and TSX: AUMN) (“Golden Minerals”, “Golden” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce first quarter 2021 production results from its Rodeo gold-silver mine in Durango State, Mexico.

1,559 gold equivalent ounces produced in gold-silver doré while ramping up production in the quarter
1,054 gold equivalent ounces of doré sold in the first quarter
On track for annual production of 12,000 to 14,000 ounces gold in 2021

Golden began mining activities at the Rodeo site in December 2020, followed by the commencement of processing operations in mid-January 2021 at a rate of approximately 200 tonnes per day (“tpd”). The mine was brought online approximately two weeks ahead of schedule and on budget.

Production results for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 are on target with Rodeo’s 2021 mine plans and are shown as follows:

Payable gold equivalent produced in doré (oz) 1,559
Payable gold produced in doré (oz) 1,390
Payable silver produced in doré (oz) 11,289
Gold equivalent sold in doré (oz) 1,054
Gold sold in doré (oz) 909
Silver sold in doré (oz) 9,698
Total tonnes mined 1 171,905
Total tonnes in stockpiles awaiting processing 2 6,746
Total tonnes in low grade stockpile 3 26,410
Tonnes processed 18,791
Average tonnes per day processed 209
Gold grade processed (g/t) 3.0
Silver grade processed (g/t) 14.3
Plant recovery - gold (%) 84.3
Plant recovery - silver (%) 86.6
Average realized price, before refining and selling costs
Gold in doré ($/oz) $1,721
Silver in doré ($/oz) $25.76
Gold equivalent based on realized $ Au and $Ag price.

(1) Includes all mined material transported to the plant, stockpiled or designated as waste

(2) Includes mined material stockpiled at the mine or transported to the plant awaiting processing in the plant

(3) Material grading between 2 g/t (current cutoff grade) and 1 g/t Au held for possible future processing


The Company has completed installation of a second regrind mill circuit at the oxide plant where Rodeo’s gold-silver material is processed. As previously communicated, this regrind circuit has been specifically designed to allow increased throughput for the harder material coming from the Rodeo mine. Installation occurred within two weeks of its intended March 31, 2021 target date. The new circuit is expected to enable an increase in production to Rodeo’s planned run rate of around 450 tpd, which the Company anticipates reaching in May 2021. This ramp up schedule is approximately four to six weeks longer than originally planned due to delays in final installation adjustments and replacement of a VFD (variable frequency drive) controller. However, the grinding characteristics of the Rodeo mineralized material are more favorable than predicted, which should allow us to increase throughput beyond the 450 tpd rate initially planned.

The Company notes its full year 2021 production guidance remains unchanged from figures reported one quarter ago:

Total tonnes processed 125,000-135,000
Payable production
Gold oz 12,000 - 14,000
Silver oz 25,000 - 30,000

About Golden Minerals

Golden Minerals is a Delaware corporation based in Golden, Colorado. The Company is primarily focused on advancing its Rodeo and Velardeña properties in Mexico and, through partner-funded exploration, its El Quevar silver property in Argentina, as well as acquiring and advancing mining properties in Mexico, Argentina, and Nevada.