08:16 AM EDT, 07/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Aya Gold & Silver ( AYASF ) on Tuesday said it poured the first silver from an expansion of its Zgounder mine in Morocco as it continues commissioning new facilities at the site.

The company said the initial pour comes as it continues hot commissioning of a foundry, while testing of a new ball mill is complete and hydrostatic tests of the expansion's water systems, tanks and reactors are also finished. Aya said it expects commercial production from the expansion in the fourth quarter.

"This pour marks another significant milestone in our expansion as we transition to full production by Q4-2024," Chief Executive Benoit La Salle said in a release. "We are now focused on commissioning and ramping up the mill to nameplate capacity."

Aya shares closed up $0.25 to $14.61 Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.