By Robb M. Stewart

Sierra Metals expects to lift production of most metals this year as it aims to increase throughput rates and grow resources at both of the Canadian company's mines.

On guidance:

Sierra forecast copper output in 2025 of between 44.6 million and 48.5 million pounds, after producing 44.32 million pounds last year, above the top end of guidance for up to 43.3 million pounds.

Zinc production is expected to rise to 53.6 million to 58.4 million pounds, from 44.89 million in 2025, and silver production is projected to increase to between 1,900 and 2,060 ounces from 1,861 last year.

Sierra expects lead production of between 13.7 million and 15 million pounds, up from 11.02 million in 2024, but anticipates gold production will fall to 10,200 to 11,100 ounces this year from 15,925 ounces.

The company said that at current metal prices it expects to generate strong operating cash flows that will fund its capital investment program and service debt obligations.

On production:

The copper-focused miner, which operates the Yauricocha Mine in Peru and Bolivar Mine in Mexico, said throughput in the final quarter of last year was a record 798,000 metric tons, 18% higher than a year earlier. This was driven by Bolivar having 10% higher throughput rates and Yauricocha increasing throughput rates by 31%.

Sierra said Yauricocha's fourth-quarter production of copper, zinc and silver were 29%, 28%, and 20%, respectively, higher than the same quarter last year. Bolivar quarterly production of copper was flat on a year earlier, silver was 9% higher and gold lower by 19%, the company said.

Consolidated throughput over 2024 was more than 2.7 million tons, an 11% increase when compared to 2023.

Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 15, 2025 07:46 ET (12:46 GMT)

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