U.S. Silver Announces Q3 2010 Production
U.S. Silver Corporation (TSXV: USA, US OTCQX: USSIF, Frankfurt: QE2)
('U.S. Silver? or 'the Company?) announces silver, copper and lead
production for the third quarter, the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2010.
PERIODIC PRODUCTION DATA | Silver (Ounces) | Lead (Pounds) | Copper (Pounds) | |||
Third quarter 2010 | 507,368 | 1,424,637 | 224,943 | |||
Third quarter 2009 | 558,071 | 1,092,864 | 268,781 | |||
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 | 1,705,820 | 4,160,995 | 724,101 | |||
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 | 1,776,315 | 3,984,149 | 820,352 | |||
2010 vs. 2009 percentage change | -3.9% | 4.4% | -11.7% |
Using metals prices of $20/oz. for silver, $1.00/lb. for lead and
$3.75/lb. for copper, equivalent ounces of silver produced totalled
620,700 ounces in the quarter.
Third quarter silver production was approximately 240,000 ounces below
target. The deficit occurred primarily due to the protracted effects of
the contractor fatality in late June 2010 as well as lower than planned
head grade. Past seismic events continue to impede accessing higher
grade stopes and caused some additional production delays. Access to
higher grade stopes will be completed in October. Unaudited cash cost
per silver ounce produced after by-product credits was $12.94 for the
nine months ended September 30, 2010. The primary cause for the higher
cost was the lower production rates as described above.
Tom Parker, President and CEO of U.S. Silver stated, 'Q3 performance was
clearly a disappointment and represents an unacceptable result. Everyone
at the Galena is working hard to overcome the obstacles that affected
our performance in Q3. We continue main level track development as well
as driving raises to develop additional mining stopes. With this Q3
result we have reduced our production forecast for the year ended
December 31, 2010 to 2.4 million ounces (Q4 700,000 ounces) of silver,
5.5 million pounds (Q4 1.3 million pounds) of lead and 1.0 million
pounds (Q4 275,000 pounds) of copper and expect Q4 to return to more
normal production levels. Strong commodity prices have helped offset the
financial impact of reduced metals volume.'
ABOUT U.S. SILVER CORPORATION
U.S. Silver, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and/or operates
the Galena, Coeur, Caladay and Dayrock silver-lead-copper mines in
Shoshone County, Idaho, with the Galena mine being the second most
prolific silver mine in US history. Total silver production from U.S.
Silver's mining complex has exceeded 217 million ounces of silver
production since 1953. U.S. Silver controls a land package now totalling
approximately 14,000 acres in the heart of the Coeur d'Alene Mining
District. U.S. Silver is focused on expanding the production from
existing operations as well as exploring and developing its extensive
Silver Valley holdings in the Coeur D'Alene Mining District.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain information in this press release may contain forward looking
statements. This information is based on current expectations that are
subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to
predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested
in any forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to
update the forward looking statements, or to update the reasons why
actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking
statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to
the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties
is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities
regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.
U.S. Silver Corporation
Tom Parker, President and CEO, 208-752-0400
or
Chris
Hopkins, CFO, 416-907-9539