Precious Metals
April 29, 2023

TSX's Pure-Play Silver Stock Shines Even Brighter with Latest Developments.

AYA Gold & Silver is a top producer in Africa and the 15th largest in the world for silver production, with a market cap of $1.2 billion. With plans to expand the Zgounder Mine's operations, AYA Gold & Silver aims to triple 2023 silver production while maintaining a low all-in sustaining cost. Additionally, the company is conducting an extensive exploration drilling program to grow its resources.

Key Takeaways

  • Silver has become an increasingly popular investment option for retail investors seeking alternatives to traditional options such as stocks and bonds.
  • The current price of silver is showing signs of strength, with the metal trading near the one-year high of $25.80 per ounce.
  • The future price of silver is expected to remain bullish, with many predicting a potential rise to $34.70 per ounce by the end of 2023.
  • Aya Gold & Silver, Inc. is a Canadian-based mining company that primarily operates in Morocco and is the top producer in Africa and the 15th largest in the world for silver production as of 2021.
  • The Zgounder project is Aya Gold & Silver's flagship project and key to their success, producing 1.88 million oz of Silver (Ag) in 2022.
  • Aya Gold & Silver aims to expand the Zgounder Mine throughput from 700 to 2,700 tonnes per day and quadruple the annual LOM production of silver to 6.8 million ounces.
  • AYA Gold & Silver is conducting an extensive exploration drilling program to increase its resources.
  • AYA Gold & Silver posted strong financial and operational results in Q4-2022, with gross margin rising 39% YoY to $4.7 million.
  • The Zgounder Silver Mine expansion is expected to achieve cost efficiencies, ensure health and safety standards, and meet its 2023 milestones.

Silver has long been considered a safe haven investment during times of economic uncertainty. This is because many investors view it as a hedge against inflation and a store of value. As a result, it has become an increasingly popular investment option for retail investors seeking alternatives to traditional options such as stocks and bonds. With growing demand for silver, the spotlight is shining on silver mining companies across all stages, from explorers to major producers, offering investors a range of investment opportunities.

Current and Future Price Trends for Silver

As of April 2023, the current price of silver is showing signs of strength, with the metal trading near the one-year high of $25.80 per ounce. This is due to various factors, such as a subdued dollar, concerns about the stability of the financial system, and an upturn in demand for the safety of bullion. Additionally, the growing demand for silver as an industrial input, particularly in the renewable energy sector, has further bolstered the metal's price performance.

The future price of silver is expected to remain bullish, with many predicting a potential rise to $34.70 per ounce by the end of 2023. This is supported by leading indicators such as inflation expectations and the silver CoT report, which suggests that the demand for silver will continue to rise in the coming years. Moreover, experts predict another large deficit for silver in 2023, indicating a potential further rise in its value.

Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF)

Aya Gold & Silver, Inc. is a Canadian-based mining company that primarily operates in Morocco. The company is the top producer in Africa and the 15th largest in the world for silver production as of 2021. Its key projects includes the Zgounder project and the Imiter bis project for silver, as well as the Boumadine for gold and base metals.

Financial and Operational Results

Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF) has a market cap of $1.2 billion, and shares are trading at $10.76 each. In Q4-2022, AYA Gold and Silver posted strong financial and operational results. The gross margin experienced a 39% year-on-year growth, reaching $4.7 million, which was mainly attributed to the revenue generated from silver sales that amounted to $13.3 million. The rise in revenue was primarily due to a substantial increase in sales volume of 97%, as compared to Q4 2021.

The Zgounder Project

The Zgounder project is Aya Gold & Silver's flagship project and key to their success. The mine has been in operation since 2019 and produced 1.88 million oz of silver (Ag) in 2022. The feasibility study from February 2022 confirmed that it is economically viable to expand the Zgounder Mine throughput from 700 to 2,700 tonnes per day. This expansion involves building a 2,000 tonnes per day flotation-CIP plant to produce silver ingots. The expansion is expected to more than triple 2022 production to the projected annual LOM production of silver of 6.8 million ounces while maintaining a low all-in sustaining cost of $9.58/oz.

Future for Zgounder Silver Mine

AYA Gold & Silver is now focusing on optimizing and expanding the Zgounder Silver Mine's operations. The company aims to achieve cost efficiencies, ensure health and safety standards, and meet its 2023 milestones for the 2,700 tpd Zgounder Silver Mine expansion. In Q1-2023, the company completed the construction of a new Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and is on track to achieve its Q2-2023 target of completing detail engineering and beginning OP operations.

Extensive Exploration Drilling Program

Aside from the Zgounder Silver Mine expansion, AYA Gold & Silver is conducting an extensive exploration drilling program to increase its resources. The company has initiated a 32,700-meter drill program at Zgounder and Zgounder Regional in 2023 in addition to a 36,000-meter exploration drilling program at Boumadine, the latter of which is halfway complete.

In conclusion, AYA Gold & Silver is a top producer in Africa and the 15th largest in the world for silver production, with a market cap of $1.2 billion. With plans to expand the Zgounder Mine's operations, AYA Gold & Silver aims to triple 2023 silver production while maintaining a low all-in sustaining cost. Additionally, the company is conducting an extensive exploration drilling program to grow its resources. With the current and future price trends for silver, AYA Gold & Silver is better positioned in the market to take advantage of the growing demand for silver.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that this is not financial advice and that you should conduct due diligence before investing. Aya Gold & Silver, Inc. is a paid marketing client of Machai Capital (thegoldstocks.com).

Written By: Thegoldstocks.com

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