Mexican miner Fresnillo’s zinc production increased by 1.2pc to 24,832mt in Q4 2019, compared to the same quarter a year earlier.
Zinc production had a positive showing as a result of higher ore grading and volume processed at the Ciénega mine, which was offset by lower ore grades at both Saucito and San Julian mines, the miner said in a statement.
However, lead output fell by 1.7pc to 14,997mt over the same period because of lower ore grading and the recovery rate at the Saucito mine, although it was mitigated by a higher processed ore volume and grade.
Fresnillo, which is the world’s largest primary silver producer and Mexico’s largest gold producer, operates seven mines in Mexico: Fresnillo, Saucito, Ciénega, Herradura, Soledad-Dipolos1, Noche Buena and San Julián.
Mexico’s zinc production decreased by 3.4pc to 36,366mt in November 2019, compared to the year prior period, while lead production decreased by 3.8pc to 12,830mt , according to the latest figures released by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography.
Fresnillo has mining concessions and exploration projects in Mexico, Peru and Chile.