SSR Mining Inc.
 | |
| Company type | Public TSX: SSO Nasdaq: SSRI |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining & Exploration |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | John Smith pres,ceo,dir Joe Phillips sen.vp Tom S.Q. Yip cfo |
| Products | Silver Zinc Tin Gold |
| Total assets | US$828.81 mil (sept'10) |
Number of employees | 36 (Sept'10) |
| Divisions | GSM Resources (AUS) Sociedad Minera de Berenguela (Peru) |
| Website | silver-standard.com |
Silver Standard Resources is a Vancouver based silver, zinc and tin producer that owns the largest silver mine in Argentina.[1] In addition it engages in exploration activity throughout the America's (6 countries) and Australia. Though its assets consist of 14 properties scattered across three continents it currently (January 2011) receives revenue from only one operation (Pirquitas, Argentina which started operating in December 2009). Silver Standard also has a total gold resource of over 3.5 million ounces though 2P reserves represent only 5%. 12 of the 14 projects are 100% owned (exceptions are San Luis (70%) and Maverick Springs is (55%).
2010 zinc production was about three million pounds (1.5 million in the fourth quarter). Tin production was on track to be near 100,000 pounds (about six times less than previously estimated)[2]
Pirquitas mine
The Pirquitas mine is located in north-west Argentina. Reserves there are enough to keep it producing for 14.5 years at an average annual rate of 10 million ounces for silver and 2,500 tonnes for tin.[3] In 2010, its first year of production, it produced 6.3 million ounces of silver, almost 70% of that in the second half.[4][5] According to an analyst at Blackmont it will become "one of the world's primary silver mines".[6]
Projects
In addition to its lone operating mine in Argentina the company is in the process of developing 13 other projects. Though there are 14 in total located in seven countries (including further exploration at Pirquitas) 71% of all silver resources and 91% of gold are in Argentina and Mexico.[5]
Argentina is home to the Diabillos, Pirquitas, and Pitarilla projects. The Snowfield, Bruceback and Sunrise Lake gold and silver properties are in Canada. Bowdens (only silver) is in Australia, San Luis (gold and silver) and Berenguela are in Peru. Candelaria and Maverick Springs are in the United States.
References
- ^ "Silver Standard targets commercial production at Pirquitas by year-end". 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Silver Standard Resources 2010 Third Quarter Report" (PDF). 2010.
- ^ "Pirquitas tin production to start shortly". 2009-02-19.
- ^ "Silver Standard Resources 2011 Factsheet" (PDF). 2011.
- ^ a b "Silver Standard Resources 2010 Annual Report" (PDF). 2011.
- ^ "Silver Standard ramps up Pirquitas mine". 2009-07-08.