SilverCrest Starts Commissioning of Processing Plant at Santa Elena

SilverCrest Mines Inc. (TSX:SVL,NYSEMKT:SVLC) announced yesterday that it has begun the commissioning of a 3,000-tonne-per-day CCD-MC processing plant at its Mexico-based Santa Elena mine.

As quoted in the press release:

The scheduled three year Expansion Plan to transition from an open pit heap leach operation to a conventional mill and underground mine is nearing completion. The US$99 million program including drilling, Pre-Feasibility Study, detailed engineering, new processing plant, and underground development is on budget (+/-5%) and has experienced only modest delays from the original schedule. Construction involved approximately 450 workers at its peak with a total of more than 1.5 million man-hours worked.

N. Eric Fier, president and COO of SilverCrest, commented:

The mill start-up is a significant milestone in the successful development of Santa Elena and the responsible growth created by the ‘phased approach’ business plan of the Company. This major achievement is a testament to the hard-working teams at Santa Elena and SilverCrest as we continue to make the transition from a junior to a mid-tier precious metal producer. The new processing facility and underground mine will significantly increase our silver and gold production in 2014 and beyond.

Click here to read the full SilverCrest Mines Inc. (TSX:SVL,NYSEMKT:SVLC) press release.