Great Panther Silver updates mineral resource estimate at the Guanajuato Mine Complex

TSX: GPR
NYSE MKT: GPL

VANCOUVER, Feb. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Great Panther Silver Ltd. (TSX: GPR) (NYSE MKT: GPL) ("Great Panther", the "Company") announces an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Company's Guanajuato Mine Complex ("GMC") in Guanajuato, Mexico.

"In 2015, we successfully replaced what we mined at the GMC and upgraded much of the San Ignacio Resource to higher categories", stated Robert Archer, President & CEO.  "Going forward, we will continue our efforts to expand and further define the resource at the San Ignacio Mine, while conducting more definition and exploratory drilling within the main Guanajuato Mine itself."

• The GMC contains estimated Measured and Indicated ("M&I") Mineral Resources of 510,068 tonnes above a US$74/tonne cut-off, at an average grade of 181g/t silver and 2.70g/t gold, for a total of 6,109,217 silver equivalent ounces ("Ag eq oz").  This is unchanged from the previous Mineral Resource (news release of February 23, 2015).
• The GMC contains estimated Measured Mineral Resources of 340,175 tonnes above a US$74/tonne cut-off, at an average grade of 187g/t silver and 2.97g/t gold, for a total of 4,330,941 Ag eq oz.  This is a 36% increase from the previous Mineral Resource due to San Ignacio Mine Mineral Resources being categorized as Measured for the first time, and a decrease in the Guanajuato Mine Measured Resource.
• The GMC contains estimated Indicated Mineral Resources of 169,894 tonnes above a US$74/tonne cut-off, at an average grade of 172g/t silver and 2.18g/t gold, for a total of 1,778,275 Ag eq oz.  This is a 39% decrease from the previous Mineral Resource due to San Ignacio Mine Indicated Mineral Resources being re-categorized to Measured Mineral Resources, and a slight increase at the Guanajuato Mine.
• The GMC, excluding the El Horcon Project, contains estimated Inferred Mineral Resources of 906,521 tonnes above a US$74/tonne cut-off, at an average grade of 140g/t silver and 2.69g/t gold, for a total of 9,629,557 Ag eq oz.  This is an 18% decrease from the previous Resource due to the San Ignacio Mine Inferred Resource being re-categorized to an M&I Mineral Resource, and a slight decrease at the Guanajuato Mine, as some Mineral Resource was reclassified as Geological Potential.  Including the El Horcon Project, the GMC contains estimated Inferred Mineral Resources of 1,035,253 tonnes at an average grade of 133g/t silver and 2.81g/t gold, for a total of 11,535,680 Ag eq oz.  This is a 16% decrease from the previous Resource.  The El Horcon Project Inferred Mineral Resource decreased due to lower metal prices only, as no further work was completed in 2015.
• At the Guanajuato Mine, the Mineral Resource classified as Geological Potential was estimated within ranges for areas that contain historic workings with limited topographic control.  Geological Potential is stated as ranges and includes 199,700 to 288,500 tonnes grading between 123 - 144g/t silver and 1.87 - 2.20g/t gold.  This includes areas drilled and evaluated underground including Promontorio, parts of Los Pozos, and parts of Valenciana. 

During 2015, exploration at the San Ignacio Mine consisted of underground drilling to better define the Mineral Resource in the Intermediate and Melladito zones, and a surface drill program to define Mineral Resource in the Melladito, Melladito Splay, Melladito 2 and Melladito 3 zones.  Development in 2015 was conducted along the Melladito, Melladito Splay, Melladito 2, and Intermediate zones.  At the Guanajuato Mine, exploration was focused in the Valenciana, San Cayetano, and Los Pozos areas to increase the Mineral Resource.

At San Ignacio, plans for 2016 include the continuation of surface exploration south from the present mineral resource to the historic mining area of San Pedro.  Underground drilling will focus on converting Inferred Mineral Resources to the Measured and Indicated categories.  At the Guanajuato Mine, the focus of exploration in 2016 will be at the Los Pozos, Guanajuatito, and Valenciana zones.  A compilation of the historical workings is being undertaken with a focus on parallel and sigmoidal veins with mineralization of economic significance.  This will include the Rayas, upper Cata, Los Pozos, Valenciana and Guanajuatito zones.

The San Ignacio Mine contains estimated M&I Mineral Resources of 360,352 tonnes above a US$74/tonne cut-off, at an average grade of 145g/t silver and 3.20g/t gold, for a total of 4,301,214 Ag eq oz.  This includes Measured Mineral Resources of 249,810 tonnes at an average grade of 151g/t silver and 3.39g/t gold, for a total of 3,130,365 Ag eq oz and Indicated Mineral Resources of 110,542 tonnes at an average grade of 133g/t silver and 2.79g/t gold, for a total of 1,170,848 Ag eq oz.  In addition, estimated Inferred Mineral Resources are 770,950 tonnes at an average grade of 138g/t silver and 2.76g/t gold, for 8,266,229 Ag eq oz.  The effective date of the San Ignacio Mine Mineral Resource is December 31, 2015 (details tabulated and noted below).

The Guanajuato Mine contains estimated M&I Mineral Resources of 149,716 tonnes above a US$74/tonne cut-off, at an average grade of 269g/t silver and 1.50g/t gold, for a total of 1,808,003 Ag eq oz.  This includes Measured Mineral Resources of 90,365 tonnes at an average grade of 285g/t silver and 1.81g/t gold, for a total of 1,200,576 Ag eq oz, and Indicated Mineral Resources of 59,352 tonnes at an average grade of 245g/t silver and 1.04g/t gold, for a total of 607,427 Ag eq oz.  In addition, estimated Inferred Mineral Resources are 135,571 tonnes at an average grade of 151g/t silver and 2.30g/t gold, for 1,363,328 Ag eq oz.  The Mineral Resource classified as Geological Potential was estimated within ranges for areas that contain historic stopes with limited topographic control.  This includes areas drilled and evaluated underground including Promontorio, parts of Los Pozos, and parts of Valenciana.  The effective date of the Guanajuato Mine Mineral Resource is July 31, 2015 (details tabulated and noted below).

The El Horcon Project contains an Inferred Mineral Resource estimated at 128,732 tonnes above a US$110/tonne cut off grading 3.64g/t Au, 82g/t Ag, 2.97% Pb, and 4.11% zinc for the Diamantillo, Diamantillo HW, Natividad, and San Guillermo veins.  The effective date of the El Horcon Project Mineral Resource is July 31, 2015 (details tabulated and noted below).

Summary Table of the Updated 2015 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Guanajuato Mine Complex¹

The estimates were classified according to the CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and, as such, are consistent with the requirements of NI 43-101.  The Mineral Resource Estimate was completed by Robert Brown, P. Eng. and Company, Q.P.  The Mineral Resource Estimates were completed using MicroMine 3D geological software, and the inverse distance squared estimation technique for estimation of grade to each of the block model blocks.  A Company-proprietary Net Smelter Return ("NSR") calculator, considering mill recoveries, smelter terms, and designated metal prices converted block grades into NSR (US$) values.  The stated Mineral Resources are a categorized compilation of blocks greater than the marginal operational costs of US$74/tonne.

The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks, duplicates, and standards into the sample shipments; diligent monitoring of assay results; and necessary remedial actions.  Sample assaying was completed at the independent SGS-GTO lab in Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico.  Silver assaying was completed with AAS12B technique, with over-limits (300g/t) completed by FAG323.  Gold assaying was completed with FAA313 technique, with over-limits (10g/t) completed by FAG323.  Where necessary, lead, zinc, copper, arsenic and antimony assays were completed using atomic absorption spectroscopy.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert F. Brown, P. Eng. and Vice President of Exploration for the Company, who is the Qualified Person (QP) for the Guanajuato Mine Complex and the Topia Mine under the meaning of NI 43-101.  Aspects relating to mining and metallurgy are overseen by Ali Soltani, Chief Operating Officer for Great Panther.

Table of the Updated 2015 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Guanajuato Mine

Table of the Updated 2015 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Guanajuato Mine

Table of the Updated 2015 Mineral Resource Estimate for the El Horcon Project

ABOUT GREAT PANTHER

Great Panther Silver Ltd. is a primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol GPR, and on the NYSE MKT trading under the symbol GPL.  Great Panther's current activities are focused on the mining of precious metals from its two wholly-owned mining operations in Mexico: the Guanajuato Mine Complex, which includes the San Ignacio Mine, and the Topia Mine in Durango.  The Company holds an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Coricancha Mine Complex in the central Andes of Peru and holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the advanced-stage Guadalupe de Los Reyes Project in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Robert Archer
President & CEO

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (together, "forward-looking statements").  Such forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to the Company's plans for production at its Guanajuato and Topia Mines in Mexico, exploring its other properties in Mexico, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different.  Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risks involving the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of silver, gold and base metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and reports on Form 40-F and Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. 

SOURCE Great Panther Silver Ltd.