08:08 AM EDT, 07/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Bear Creek Mining ( BCEKF ) on Friday said it produced 9,304 ounces of gold and 40,893 ounces of silver from the Mercedes Mine in Sonora, Mexico, during the second quarter.

The company produced 12,228 ounces of gold and 44,040 ounces of silver in the first quarter.

While production from the Marianas deposit at the mine decreased as the company proceeded to drive a new lateral ramp in more stable rock and discontinue development of the central ramp, the effect of this was less than internally anticipated. It was able to increase both grade and tonnage elsewhere, Bear Creek said.

The lateral ramp is expected to facilitate improved delineation drilling and ultimately production from Marianas later this year and into 2025.

The company has engaged a number of expert consultants to participate in an intensive exploration initiative to identify new exploration targets proximal to the Mercedes operation and elsewhere within the 70,000 hectare Mercedes project. The program incorporates machine learning tools, aeromagnetic survey data, ground-based geochemistry and geological observations.