Fortuna Mining Corp 6-K, filed Feb 13, 2020
Fortuna Mining Corp. (FSM)
About this 6-K
Fortuna Mining Corp filed this 6-K on February 13, 2020.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUERPURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR
15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of February 2020
Commission File Number 001-35297
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
200 Burrard Street, Suite 650, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3L6
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
FORM 20-F ¨ FORM 40-F x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.<br><br><br><br>(Registrant) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date: February 13, 2020 | By: | /s/ “Jorge Ganoza Durant” |
| Jorge Ganoza Durant | ||
| President and CEO |
Exhibits:
99.1 NewsRelease dated February 13, 2020
Exhibit 99.1

Fortuna provides update on its Linderogold Project in Argentina
Vancouver, February 13, 2020-- FortunaSilver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) is pleased to provide an update on construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning activities at its 100 percent owned Lindero gold Project located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. Construction progress in December and January was delayed due to a shortfall in contractor personnel; however, the Project continues to advance and is now scheduled to transition from construction and commissioning to operations in the second quarter of 2020.
Jorge A. Ganoza, President, CEO and Director, commented, “Lindero encountered challenges during December and January due to a shortfall in manpower in our main electro-mechanical and piping contractor. We have reduced the scope of this contractor and have brought in additional resources to address this issue.” Mr. Ganoza added, “Early in January, the Project underwent a leadership change. Since then, the Company has completed an extensive review of the Project’s remaining schedule through to operations. Placement of ore on the leach pad and first doré pour is now scheduled for the second quarter of 2020.”
Construction, pre-commissioning andcommissioning highlights:
| ● | As at the end of January, the overall project is 89% complete |
|---|---|
| ● | Primary and secondary crushing circuits: Pre-commissioning activities are concluded; crushing<br>circuits are being commissioned with ore |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Tertiary crushing circuit: Vendor representatives returned to site on January 24^th^<br>and are dedicated to finalizing the mechanical completion of the HPGR; pre-commissioning activities have commenced on the conveyors<br>and transfer systems of this circuit |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Agglomeration plant: Mechanical work almost completed; piping and electrical installation<br>is in its final stages due to the delay caused by shortfalls in contractor manpower during December and January; pre-commissioning<br>activities have been pushed back to March |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Power generation: 8-megawatt power plant and medium voltage power distribution system have<br>been commissioned and are sourcing power to the project and unit operations |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Industrial water supply: Commissioning of the industrial water system is scheduled to be<br>completed this month |
| --- | --- |
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Lindero gold Project
18,750 tonnes per day crushing circuitand agglomeration plant
Primary and secondary crushing circuits
Pre-commissioning activities of the main equipment has been completed; commissioning with ore to stockpile has been initiated.

Primary crushing circuit commissioningwith ore
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Secondary crushing circuit commissioning with ore
Tertiary crushing circuit
Vendor technicians are concluding with final mechanical and instrumentation activities on the HPGR. Pre-commissioning of the conveyors and transfer systems were initiated this month.

Tertiary crushing circuit pre-commissioningcommenced
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Agglomeration plant
Delays in mechanical and electrical activities during December and January due to a shortfall in contractor manpower have pushed back pre-commissioning to March.

Agglomeration plant
8-megawatt power plant
Commissioning of the mine’s 8-megawatt power plant and medium voltage power distribution system has been completed. The plant has been connected to the mine’s grid and is sourcing power to the mine and project.

8-megawatt power plant
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Leach pad and solution ponds
Leach pad
Construction of the 31-hectare start-up leach pad area and solution ponds has been completed. Assembly and installation of the stacking system from the agglomeration plant to the leach pad is in progress but behind schedule due to a shortfall in contractor manpower during December and January and is expected to be completed in April; making it on the critical path of the project.

Leach pad stacking belt conveyor installationwork
Solution ponds
Mechanical and piping installations are in progress. Pumping and solution management systems are planned to be commissioned in April.

Solution ponds: Mechanical and piping installation work
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Process Area

ADR plant
Equipment installation has been completed with piping and electrical work in progress. Pre-commissioning activities are planned to conclude in May.

ADR plant piping installation work
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SART plant
Mechanical and piping installation work is progressing with pre-commissioning activities scheduled to conclude in May. The SART plant is not mission critical for the start of gold production.

SART plant
Industrial water supply
The 13-kilometer water pipeline to the mine site is being pre-commissioned. Commissioning of the industrial water system is scheduled to be completed this month.

Fresh water booster pump station
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Assay laboratory
Construction and implementation of the on-site assay laboratory has been completed. Sample preparation and analysis for gold using fire assay with an atomic absorption finish has been conducted at this facility since the end of January 2020.

Assay laboratory: Sample preparationby fusion
Further updates on the construction of the Lindero gold Project will be provided as the development of the Project proceeds. Please click on the following link to access Lindero’s construction photo gallery:
https://fortunasilver.com/mines-and-projects/development/lindero-project-argentina/construction-gallery/crushing-circuit/.
About the Lindero gold Project, Argentina
In September 2017, the commencement of construction at Lindero was officially launched (see Fortuna news releases dated September 21, 2017 and December 21, 2017). Lindero has been designed as an 18,750 tonnes per day owner operated open pit mine with a pit life of 13 years based on current Mineral Reserves. Crushed ore will be placed on a leach pad with the pregnant solution pumped to SART and ADR plants prior to electrowinning and refining where gold will be poured to doré bars.
About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Fortuna is a growth oriented, precious metals producer focused on mining opportunities in Latin America. Our primary assets are the Caylloma silver Mine in southern Peru, the San Jose silver-gold Mine in Mexico and the Lindero gold Project, currently under construction, in Argentina. The Company is selectively pursuing acquisition opportunities throughout the Americas and in select other areas. For more information, please visit our website at www.fortunasilver.com.
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Jorge A. Ganoza
President, CEO and Director
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Trading symbols: NYSE: FSM |
TSX: FVI
Investor Relations:
Carlos Baca
T (Peru): +51.1.616.6060, ext. 0
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward lookingstatements which constitute "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislationand "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward looking Statements"). All statements included herein, other thanstatements of historical fact, are Forward looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertaintieswhich could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forwardlooking Statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements about the Company's plans for its mines and mineralproperties; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlook; the merit of the Company's mines and mineral properties; the futurefinancial or operating performance of the Company; the Company’s exploration activities, including related capital expenditures;the timing of the completion of construction at Lindero; the timing of the completion and commissioning of the plant, the timingof the placing of ore on the leach pad and the first doré pour; the stock piling of ore prior to first production; the timingof the commencement of commercial production; the construction costs at the Lindero Project and proposed expenditures at the LinderoProject. Often, but not always, these Forward looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "planned", "reflecting", "will", "containing", "remaining", "to be", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achievedand similar expressions, including negative variations.
Forward looking Statements involveknown and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of theCompany to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements.Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; changes inprices for silver and other metals; further delays in the completion of the construction and commissioning at Lindero may causedelays in the commencement of production; start up delays in production may increase the costs of the Lindero Project; technologicaland operational hazards in Fortuna's mining and mine development activities; risks inherent in mineral exploration; uncertaintiesinherent in the estimation of mineral reserves, mineral resources, and metal recoveries; governmental and other approvals; politicalunrest or instability in countries where Fortuna is active; labor relations issues; as well as those factors discussed under "RiskFactors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2019 and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Althoughthe Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materiallyfrom those described in Forward looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differfrom those anticipated, estimated or intended.
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Forward looking Statements containedherein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to expectationsregarding the Company's plans for its mines and mineral properties; mine production costs; expected trends in mineral prices andcurrency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource and reserve estimates; that the Company's activitieswill be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affectingthe Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained; that there will be no significant disruptions affectingoperations and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Companydisclaims any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or resultsor otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, asactual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors shouldnot place undue reliance on Forward looking Statements.