Canada-based SSR Mining produced 1,821,000lb (826mt) of zinc in the March quarter (Q1) up by 11pc from a year ago. Lead production was down 18pc to 5,536,000lb from the prior year.
SRS Puna operations in Argentina produces lead and zinc. The company maintained consistent operating metrics at Puna with steady mill throughput. However, on March 20, the mine suspended operations, temporarily as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Production (klb) | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 | Change(%) | Q4 2019 | Change(%) |
| Zinc | 1,821 | 1,640 | 11% | 3007 | -39% |
| Lead | 5,536 | 6,789 | -18% | 7985 | -31% |
The company stated that weather events and suspension of operation during the quarter affected productions and operations. Existing ore stockpile is sufficient to support milling activities, if the company were to restart operations in the near team.
| Sale (klb) | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 | Change(%) | Q4 2019 | Change(%) |
| Zinc | 2,166 | 3,218 | -33% | 3067 | -29% |
| Lead | 6,407 | 2,977 | 115% | 9371 | -32% |
The company sold 6,407,000lb of lead in Q1, more than double the quantity sold in the prior year. However, compared to previous quarter, sales fell by 32pc. Sale of zinc fell in Q1 compared to both prior year and quarter by 33pc and 29pc, respectively.
SSR withdrew its 2020 operating guidance across all operations taking account of COVID-19 pandemic. SSR Mining is predominantly a precious metals producer with three operations, the Marigold mine in Nevada, US; the Seabee Gold in Saskatchewan, Canada and Puna operations in Jujuy, Argentina.