The new ball mill installed at the Guitarra processing plant. (Photo: Sierra Madre)
Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. reported a significant increase in processing rates for its Guitarra silver-gold operation in Mexico. Following Phase 1 expansion modifications to the existing crushing and milling circuits, daily production has reached a steady of 720 metric tons per day (mt/d), a 40% increase over the 500 mt/d nameplate capacity. Further modifications to increase capacity are scheduled following the commissioning of a new 11×12 ball mill.
“We continue to advance our Phase 1 and Phase 2 expansions at Guitarra. With the new ball mill now installed, Sierra Madre has also accelerated underground development. We have started groundworks for the permitted dry stack tailings facility expansion, a key component of our Phase 2 plan to increase throughputs to 1,500 mt/d,” Greg Liller, COO and executive chairman.
Installation of the drive motor, cyclones and instrumentation is underway, with commissioning expected in November 2026. The new ball mill, combined with the existing ones, is expected to achieve the Phase 2 goal more than eight months ahead of schedule. Groundwork for the Phase 4 tailings expansion has begun
Development has been accelerated at all three of the mines within the La Guitarra complex, Guitarra, Nazareno and Coloso, to feed the expanded plant. Since July 2026, more than 800 m of access and production drives have been completed.
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