Peruvian Metals Corp. has completed a maintenance and overhaul program at the Aguila Norte processing plant in northern Peru, keeping the 80-per-cent-owned facility on track for full-capacity production through 2026.

During July and August, the plant handled 6,046 metric tonnes of material. Peruvian Metals noted that the facility has now operated at full capacity for 28 of the previous 29 months, following maintenance work on its ball mill and crushing circuit conducted between April and July.

Alongside the operating update, the company reported sampling results from a 1,500-square-metre dry zone within the facility's tailings area. Twenty hand-dug pit samples, supervised by Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Reeder, returned average grades of 2.4 grams of gold per metric tonne and 90 grams of silver per metric tonne. At current metal prices of $4,400 US per ounce for gold and $65 US per ounce for silver, the sampling equates to 0.108 ounces of gold equivalent per metric tonne.

A composite sample collected from the same area underwent metallurgical test work, which confirmed gold recoveries of 93% and silver recoveries of 87%. Because lead and zinc levels in the tailings were determined to be negligible, any future reprocessing would target only the precious metals.

Peruvian Metals holds a 10-year renewal on surface rights and an environmental permit known as IGAC for the Aguila Norte operation. That permit allows processing at the current rate of 100 tonnes per day, with expansion capacity up to 350 tonnes per day. To advance the potential tailings project, the company must modify its environmental permit by designing a dedicated treatment process and submitting a detailed report to the Peruvian Ministry of Mines during the fourth quarter.

“We are on track for another year at full capacity production. The Company is currently preparing Palta Dorada and Mercedes for bulk sample extraction from the underground sites. The possibility of reprocessing the tailings at Aguila Norte adds another revenue stream, strengthening the financial position of the Company,” commented Jeffrey Reeder, Chief Executive Officer of Peruvian Metals.

The company is currently preparing its Palta Dorada and Mercedes underground sites for bulk sample extraction.

Read the full announcement: Peruvian Metals on Track for Full Production for 2026 at the Aguila Norte Processing Plant and Reports Positive Sample Results from the Tailings Area