Avino Modifies La Preciosa Mining Method, Targets 500 Tonnes Per Day in 2026
The company said, "Key Operational and Strategic Priorities: Increased Development Rate at La Preciosa - Change in planned mining method; Increased Production at La Preciosa -A goal of 500 tonnes per day forecasted for H2 2026; Execute a 30,000-metre drilling program -15,000 metres at the Avino Mine and 15,000 metres at La Preciosa; Update Mineral Resource Estimate including an inaugural Mineral Reserve Estimate -H1 2026; Utilize AI - For integration of all data for resource/reserve expansion and new exploration discoveries; Investing in Mill Equipment Upgrades -Focused on improving recovery rates. La Preciosa Development: As a result of identifying wider veins in the infill drilling campaign and development work completed in 2025, the Company has modified the planned mining method from shrinkage stoping, which is a narrow-vein style of mining, to wider-vein methods of longhole sub-level caving. This change in mining method will allow for higher mining rates at lower cost in the medium to long-term at La Preciosa, in anticipation of higher throughput. As a result, more development material will be processed through the Avino mill, followed by a transition from development mining to production mining later in 2026. Avino has the strongest balance sheet in Company history and remains debt-free, excluding operating equipment leases, demonstrating our disciplined capital allocation approach throughout 2025. With a strong balance sheet and a robust working capital position, the Company is well positioned to support its transformational growth plan. For 2026, the Company plans to process between 725,000 to 750,000 tonnes of material through the mill, sourced from both the Avino Mine and La Preciosa. Development at La Preciosa, expanded underground access, and a planned transition in mining methodology will temporarily shift mill feed timing. In 2026, the Company will focus on development and optimization, aligning its processing circuits to support growth of La Preciosa. The Company anticipates producing between 1.0 to 1.2 million ounces of silver, 5.0 to 7.0 thousand oz of gold and 6.0 to 7.5 million pounds ("lb") of copper as per the Company's 2026 budget, with production for all three metals being similar to 2025 actual production. Based on the Company's 2026 metal price assumptions and an increase in silver price in relation to gold and copper, silver equivalent production is expected to decrease as a result of the metals price ratios, and is forecasted to be in the range of 2.4 to 2.7 million silver equivalent oz, even though production for silver and gold remains constant, and copper production is expected to increase. Our guidance for silver production has been reduced from our 5-year plan due to the planned additional development at La Preciosa, where the transition from development mining to production mining will commence later in 2026 than originally anticipated. This increased development is fully funded from the Company's current cash and is expected to provide growth in both silver production and silver equivalent production in 2027. The Company remains on track for the previously issued long-term growth plan."
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- Organic Growth Strategy: Avino Silver & Gold Mines is advancing an organic growth strategy aimed at expanding from one producing asset to three, with a focus on the higher-grade La Preciosa project, which is expected to significantly enhance the company's production capacity and market competitiveness.
- Rich Resource Reserves: The company holds over 300 million ounces of silver equivalent, ensuring future production potential and providing a strong resource base for investors, thereby enhancing market confidence.
- Strong Financial Position: Avino maintains a robust cash position with no debt, which provides the company with greater flexibility and security in expanding and investing in new projects.
- Long-term Partnership: The decade-long offtake partnership with Samsung C&T offers a stable market channel for the company, further solidifying its position in the silver mining industry and laying a foundation for future growth.
- Ethereum's AI Adaptation: Ethereum is rapidly adapting for the AI future, and if it can solidify its position as the top blockchain for new AI projects, its valuation could significantly rise, highlighting its importance in the crypto market.
- Executive Predictions: Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin believes that the convergence of blockchain technology and AI can enhance market and government efficiency, and if successful, it could yield substantial returns for Ethereum investors.
- Emergence of AI Projects: Several AI projects are currently emerging on Ethereum, such as ChainGPT and Assemble AI, which have the potential to become the 'killer apps' driving Ethereum's future, further enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Cautious Investor Sentiment: Despite the promising outlook for Ethereum in the AI space, analysts caution that it is not currently recommended as a top investment choice, urging investors to carefully assess its long-term value and market performance.
- Ethereum's Potential: Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin believes that the convergence of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence holds immense potential, providing an economic base layer for AI that could reshape its future landscape.
- Market Reaction: Currently priced at $1980.08 with a market cap of $239 billion, Ethereum has seen a 4% decline recently, yet its applications in AI could rapidly increase its value, leveraging its successful experience in decentralized finance (DeFi).
- AI Project Development: DappRadar has compiled a list of several AI projects developing on Ethereum, such as ChainGPT and Assemble AI, which could potentially become the
- Silver Price Surge: Spot silver prices have surged past $110 per ounce, driving demand for safe-haven assets and resulting in over 6% gains for several silver mining stocks in pre-market trading.
- Strong Mining Stock Performance: First Majestic Silver Corp. and Hecla Mining saw their shares rise over 6% and 6.5%, respectively, reaching multi-decade highs, indicating strong market interest in precious metals.
- ETF Outperformance: The iShares Silver Trust ETF (SLV) has gained approximately 76% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) which rose only 19%, reflecting a clear investor preference for silver.
- Market Concerns Intensify: Despite the current bullish sentiment in precious metals, analysts warn that this rally may be driven by “FOMO-driven speculation” and could face sustainability risks in the near future.
- Earnings Beat: Booz Allen Hamilton reported an adjusted EPS of $1.77 for Q3, surpassing the analyst consensus of $1.29, indicating strong profitability despite a 10.2% year-over-year sales decline.
- Sales Decline: The company's quarterly sales totaled $2.62 billion, missing the street view of $2.75 billion, reflecting challenges in the market environment that may impact future growth strategies.
- Stock Surge: Booz Allen's shares jumped 9.8% to $105.09 on Friday, demonstrating a positive investor reaction to the earnings beat, which bolstered market confidence.
- Mixed Market Performance: While the Dow Jones fell around 200 points, Booz Allen's strong performance contrasted with broader market trends, highlighting stock resilience and selective investor preferences.
- Acquisition Agreement: Energy Fuels Inc. has signed a Scheme Implementation Deed to acquire 100% of Australian Strategic Materials for $299 million, further solidifying its leadership in the rare earth elements market.
- Transaction Structure: The acquisition will be completed via a scheme of arrangement under Australian law, expected to enhance Energy Fuels' resource integration capabilities and competitive advantage in the market.
- Market Impact: This acquisition will significantly increase Energy Fuels' production capacity in rare earth metals and alloys, addressing the growing demand from clean energy and high-tech industries, thereby driving the company's future growth potential.
- Investor Communication: Energy Fuels will host a conference call on January 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM MT to provide detailed insights into the acquisition, enhancing investor understanding of the company's strategic direction.










