Aya Gold & Silver
Primary ticker: TSX:AYA
Stage of development: Exploration, Development, Production
Primary minerals: Boron; Gypsum; Lithium, Calcium ChlorideSilver
Project to promote: Zgounder Silver Mine
Project location: Morocco
Website: https://ayagoldsilver.com/
Aya Gold & Silver is a rapidly growing, Canada-based silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco. Aya is the only TSXlisted pure silver mining company, operating the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine, which is currently undergoing an expansion that will grow
today’s operation from 700 tpd to 2,700 tpd by the end of Q1 2023, to produce 7.9M ounces of silver in 2024. The company will also continue its exploration activities at Zgounder (near the mine and regionally) in 2023.
In addition to existing operations, Aya has a robust portfolio of exploration projects located along the prospective South-Atlas Fault, several of which have hosted past-producing mines and historical resources. The company’s Boumadine project – located approximately 360km east of Zgounder – is Aya’s primary exploration target with 76,000 metres of drilling planned for 2023. Aya’s Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit Gold Project
in Mauritania, which is being advanced to feasibility.
Major shareholders:
Robert Taub -10%
Nouredinne Mokaddem – 10%
Merk – 3%
Mackenzie – 2%
Family Office – 33%
Management Ownership – 10%
Financials
Management Profile
Benoit La Salle – President & CEO
Benoit La Salle was appointed President & CEO of Aya in April 2020, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in developing and operating responsible mining companies in West Africa based on community empowerment. In 1995, Mr. La Salle founded Canadian-based SEMAFO Inc., which grew from a junior explorer to a 250,000+ ounce-per-year gold producer in West Africa, and established SEMAFO Foundation in 2008 to support its local communities. Since 2010, he has held board positions at six public companies, in addition to founding three West African-focused exploration companies and one privately held power producer. An active contributor to the non-profit section, Mr. La Salle is a former board director and chair of Plan International Canada and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of The Canadian Council on Africa since 2013.
Alex Ball – VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
During his 15+ years in corporate finance, Alex Ball has managed $5 billion in debt and equity financings and M&A transactions in mining with UBS Canada, CIBC World Markets and BMO Capital Markets. Alex was also part of the Active Equities Group with OMERS, a $100 billion AUM pension fund. Previously, he held the role of Executive Vice President, Finance & Corporate Development at Algold Resources.
What is your rationale for taking part in 121 Mining Investment?
We are a pure play silver mining company and are interested in meeting new institutional shareholders who made money with SEMAFO and Teranga. We are tightly controlled with 55% of the float controlled by several family offices.
What recent news would you like to highlight to investors attending?
– Continue to report high-grade results from Boumadine Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu Project in Morocco (extended mineralized trend to 4.2km open on both ends)
– Recognized as top performing company by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX30) for third consecutive year
– On track to complete Zgounder Silver Mine expansion by end of Q1 2024 — expanding from 2Moz a year to 8Moz a year
– Closed US$100M ESG-linked project financing for Zgounder expansion
What are your key goals in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months?
3 Months:
Announce remaining drill results for Zgounder and Boumadine
6 Months:
Boumadine resource estimate and Zgounder Silver Mine expansion
12 Months:
Continue to expand resource base at Boumadine and other projects
What do you see as the key risks and challenges facing your company at the moment and how are you overcoming these?
Silver price, but Aya will grow ounces/ it’s current resource 4x regardless of the silver prices – over the next 12 months.
What do you think makes your company such a compelling investment?
Aya is fully funded and is the only exchange listed silver producer globally. It also offers tremendous growth potential and a play on the South Atlas Fault in Morroco.