Some highlights from Hochschild's Q1 production summary....
Q1 2010 production of 6.1 million attributable silver equivalent ounces comprised of 4.0 million ounces of silver and 35.0 thousand ounces of gold
· On track to achieve 2010 target of 26.3 million attributable silver
equivalent ounces from current operations with an additional 1.5 - 2.5 million
silver equivalent ounces from stakes in Lake Shore Gold and GRC
· Continued delivery of growth strategy:
o $4.9 million invested in Lake Shore Gold, increasing the Company's stake to
38%
o $9.5 million invested in Gold Resource Corporation, increasing the Company's
stake to 29%
Hochschild remains firmly on track to achieve its 2010 production target of
26.3 million attributable silver equivalent ounces from its current
operations, with an additional 1.5 - 2.5 million silver equivalent ounces from
the Company's stakes in Lake Shore Gold and Gold Resource Corporation ("GRC"),
whose contributions have been revised following recent developments, as
explained below.
Lake Shore Gold & GRC
In March 2010, Lake Shore Gold announced that it is re-phasing its production
schedule in order to optimise the long term value of its assets. This has
resulted in a reduction in its 2010 production target from 100,000 ounces of
gold (6 million silver equivalent ounces) to 65,000 ounces of gold (3.9
million silver equivalent ounces) as a result of a change in priorities
emphasising increased underground waste development, diamond drilling and the
infrastructure plans necessary to support the preparation of 43-101 compliant
resource estimates at both Thunder Creek and Bell Creek. Lake Shore Gold will
continue to build production over the following three years with the potential
to produce 350,000 ounces (21 million silver equivalent ounces) by 2013. Lake
Shore Gold expects to commence commercial production in Q4 2010 and is due to
release Q1 2010 results on 5 May 2010.
On 14 April 2010, GRC announced the first shipment of concentrate for sale.
The company has a production target of 70,000 ounces of gold (4.2 million
silver equivalent ounces) in the first 12 months of commercial production.
Commercial production is expected to commence in the first half of 2010.
Hochschild remains positive about the outlook for Lake Shore Gold and GRC
which are important strategic investments and provide exposure to impressive
production potential and long term growth.
Both GRC and Lake Shore Gold will be equity accounted by the Group in 2010 and
will appear under the associates line in the Company's income statement. Lake
Shore Gold and GRC are already processing ore from their respective
operations, however, revenue will only be recognised once commercial
production has been achieved.