Yauricocha is a polymetallic underground mine located in the Yauyos province in western central Peru. The company received the previous permit, the Informe Tecnico Sustentatorio (ITS), for the Yauricocha mine in March.

Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals commented: "I am delighted with the receipt of the ITM permit. The company may now increase throughput at Yauricocha to 3,600t/d which represents a 20% increase in throughput. Today's news will further support the company in achieving its annual production guidance.

"Additionally, we continue focusing on the completion of the prefeasibility study at Yauricocha, which examines increasing throughput to 5,500t/d starting in 2024, as well as on the prefeasibility studies for our Mexican operations."

He concluded: "2021 continues to be an exciting year for the company as we continue with organic growth plans including significant brownfield and greenfield exploration programmes to support future mineral resource and production growth. Management also continues to focus on improving and modernising our mine operations, increasing operating efficiencies to improve productivity and reduce costs."

Sierra Metals also owns the Bolivar and Cusi mines in Mexico.