08:00 AM EDT, 04/11/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Aya Gold & Silver ( AYASF ) said Friday that its silver production surged 192% to a record 1.07 million ounces in the first quarter.

The company achieved the result just three months after declaring commercial production at the Zgounder mine in Morocco.

Aya said mill capacity improved during the first quarter and it expects to see recovery improvements throughout the year as plant operations are optimized and as more fresh rock is introduced into the plant.

The company noted that all of Zgounder's silver production is now silver more, increasing revenue per ounce produced by about 15% compared to concentrate.

"With mining rates steadily increasing in line with our plan, we are well positioned for a strong ramp-up and a solid second half of 2025," said Benoit La Salle, Aya's president and CEO.

Aya's share price rose 5.1% on Thursday to $11.00 on the TSX.