Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:ASM)(OTCBB:ASGMF)(BERLIN:GV6)(FRANKFURT:GV6) has announced that processing of the San Gonzalo bulk sample began on January 18, 2011.
The monthly totals to February 11th, were 1550 tonnes milled for production of 47 tonnes of concentrate grading 8.4 kg/t silver. Average month to date silver feed grade for February was 329 g/t at 77% recovery. This feed grade result is similar to the estimated resource grade of 332 g/t in the NI 43-101 report by Orequest 2009. Gold results are pending from the accredited lab of SGS in Durango, Mexico. Silver assays are from the on-site laboratory using aqua regia digestion followed by AA spectroscopy. Weekly check samples for silver and gold are sent to SGS, Durango.
Silver recovery of 77% was an improvement over January results of 70% when 1793 tonnes were processed for the production of 72 tonnes of concentrate grading 5 Kg/t silver and 28.3 g/t gold. The mineralized zone where the bulk sample has been extracted is partially oxidized and near the surface. Efforts are continuing to be made at the plant to improve the recovery.
The test marketing of the concentrate is currently underway. All interested parties have been sent samples for evaluation. Proposals are expected soon with a decision to be made late February or early March.
As announced in the February 2nd news release, Avino's 2011 drill program started January 27 and by February 11th the first 3 core holes totaling 341 m had been completed. All three holes targeted the San Gonzalo vein between the presently mined area and the intersection in hole SG-07-33. (116.15m – 122.7 m (6.55 m down hole) 0.76 g/t gold and 141 g/t silver).
Source: Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.