Altaley begins mining and milling operations at its new gold mine in Mexico, Tahuehueto.

The Tahuehueto gold mine in Durango, Mexico, has begun pre-production mining and mill commissioning operations, according to Altaley Mining (TSXV: ATLY).

According to the company’s statement, construction efforts at the mine site have progressed to the point where one ball mill capable of processing up to 500 tpd can be started and commissioned.

The company said in a statement that “Tahuehueto’s processing facility is operational, allowing for milling up to 500tpd with flotation cells, concentrate thickeners, and concentrate filters successfully tested and operational.”

A bulk concentrate will be produced during the first ball mill’s commissioning phase, and the company will process a separate precious metal rich lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate as soon as possible after that. Production of copper concentrate is expected to begin in late 2022.

“I am very pleased to see Tahuehueto begin pre-production activities, and I am looking forward to our first concentrate deliveries, which will bring our company its first revenue from the new, on-site Tahuehueto mineral processing facility, which is expected in a few weeks,” said CEO Ralph Shearing.

He also stated that the company will resume exploration activities in order to increase reserves and resources, which “…can unlock the hidden, undiscovered ultimate potential of this district-scale project, allowing mine expansion and extension to the current mine life.”

Altaley Mining is a Canadian mining company with 100% ownership of two gold, silver, and base metal mining projects in Mexico.

The company’s Tahuehueto mining project is located in northwestern Durango State, Mexico, where construction on a 1,000-tonne-per-day processing facility and related mine infrastructure is nearing completion in order to begin producing gold, silver, lead, and zinc in concentrates.

The company plans to begin pre-production in May 2022 and ramp up to full production capacity in the third and fourth quarters of that year.

Campo Morado, a polymetallic base metal mine with mining and milling equipment that produces an average of 2,200 tonnes per day and is currently Mexico’s 6th largest zinc producer, is also owned by the company.