MONTREAL, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF) (“Aya” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce the first silver pour from its expanded Zgounder Mine in the Kingdom of Morocco.

The first silver pour was completed on November 27, 2024. Highlights The first full silver pour was completed on November 27, 2024: First silver pour achieved from the new mill throughout the entire circuit. Hot commissioning is now complete with the gravity circuit currently being commissioned.

Recoveries of over 80% recorded and improving: Improvement as the circuit stabilises and mill head grade increases. The mill is currently being fed with marginal ore to minimize silver lost through ramp up. All equipment / circuits are operating as expected.

Operations ramping up: Nameplate of 2,000 tonnes per day (“tpd”) was achieved on November 29, 2024, less than a month after first ore in mill. Availability, recovery and throughput continue to improve daily, reinforcing our confidence in reaching commercial production before end of year. “This milestone brings us closer to the start of commercial production at our expanded Zgounder mill in the coming weeks and marks our transition into a tier-one, pure-play, and profitable silver producer,” said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO.

“I am incredibly proud of our team’s hard work and extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the successful, on-budget completion of this expansion. W.