Alberta-based Peruvian Metals has improved its plant production at its Aguila Norte processing plant, which processes third-party polymetallic lead-zinc-silver material.

In 2021, Peruvian Metals processed 28,654 tonnes of material, an increase of 54% over 2019 processing. In 2019, Aguila Norte processed 18,510 tonnes, and in 2020 it processed 13,485 tonnes.

In the December quarter of 2021, the company processed a record 8,829 tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 31.1%. The fourth quarter saw the plant operating at 98% capacity, chief executive Jeffrey Reeder said.

Mineral processing in the second half of 2021 accounted for more than 93% of the plant's capacity, Peruvian Metals said.

Peruvian Metals owns 80% of Aguila Norte.

It also acquired a 50% interest in the silver-gold Palta Dorada property near the plant, as well as a prospective gold-silver-lead-zinc concession in November 2021, Reeder said. The concession is approximately 94 hectares.

"Both these assets were acquired to provide mineral feed for the plant," he said.

Aguila Norte holds a permit from the Peruvian government which would allow it to expand operations past its current production level of 100 tonnes per day.

Peruvian Metals began purchasing third-party minerals in 2019.