Aya Gold & Silver

Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a Canadian-based, pure-play silver producer focused on its operations in the Kingdom of Morocco. The company, which is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, primarily operates the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine. This key asset is located in the Anti-Atlas mountains, approximately 260 kilometers east of Agadir. Aya's business model is centered on creating shareholder value by generating revenue from its mining operations and expanding its resource base through extensive exploration programs. Revenue is derived from the sale of its entire production of silver doré and concentrate to precious metal smelters, primarily in the European Union.

Originally known as Maya Gold & Silver, the company was founded in 2007 and completed its initial public offering in 2008. A significant transformation occurred in April 2020 with the appointment of a new management team led by President and CEO Benoit La Salle. Mr. La Salle is a chartered accountant with a commerce degree from McGill University and an MBA from IMEDE, Switzerland. His career spans over 25 years in developing and operating mining projects, notably founding SEMAFO Inc. in 1995 and growing it into a major gold producer in West Africa. This experience in African mining and a focus on sustainable development has been integral to Aya's subsequent strategy.

Aya's principal asset, the Zgounder Mine, is the second-largest silver mine in Morocco. A major milestone was achieved with a significant expansion project that began construction in mid-2022. This project aimed to quadruple production by increasing processing capacity from 700 to 2,700 tonnes per day. The first silver pour from the expanded facility occurred in November 2024, and commercial production was declared on December 29, 2024. This expansion has significantly increased production, with the first quarter of 2025 yielding over one million ounces of silver. The company has transitioned to producing only silver doré bars, which increases revenue per ounce by approximately 15% compared to concentrate. Beyond Zgounder, Aya holds a portfolio of exploration properties, including an 85% interest in the Boumadine polymetallic project and other assets along the South-Atlas Fault.

Keywords: silver mining, Morocco mining, Zgounder Silver Mine, pure-play silver producer, precious metals exploration, Benoit La Salle, Anti-Atlas mountains, mining operations, silver production, TSX-listed miner, Boumadine project, mineral resource expansion, mining development, silver doré, exploration drilling, mining finance, sustainable mining, African mining, South-Atlas Fault, polymetallic deposits, mining investment, silver assets, resource geology, mining processing plant