American mining company Americas Gold & Silver Corporation has successfully completed the first phase of critical infrastructure upgrades at its Galena Complex in Idaho ahead of schedule, doubling the facility’s material handling capacity and positioning the operation for significant production growth.
The Phase 1 upgrades to the No. 3 Shaft were completed in just 10 days, four days earlier than the planned 14-day shutdown period. Initial operations following the upgrade have already
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American mining company Americas Gold & Silver Corporation has successfully completed the first phase of critical infrastructure upgrades at its Galena Complex in Idaho ahead of schedule, doubling the facility’s material handling capacity and positioning the operation for significant production growth.
The Phase 1 upgrades to the No. 3 Shaft were completed in just 10 days, four days earlier than the planned 14-day shutdown period. Initial operations following the upgrade have already demonstrated a 100% improvement in skipping capacity, reaching 80 tons per hour compared to the previous 40 tons per hour.
“I am very pleased to announce that the first phase of the Galena No. 3 Shaft upgrade has been completed ahead of schedule, which is a tremendous outcome for our operations,” said Chairman and CEO Paul Andre Huet. “I would personally like to thank and congratulate our team on a very successful upgrade period.”
The comprehensive improvements included enhancements to motor systems, lilies, braking mechanisms, and the introduction of automated hoist-control systems. These technical upgrades will allow hoisting speeds to increase from the current 690 feet per minute to approximately 1,200-1,400 feet per minute once fully implemented.
The Galena Complex, located in Wallace, Idaho, represents a cornerstone asset in Americas Gold & Silver’s portfolio. The company, which trades on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: USA) and NYSE American (USAS), has identified the mine as central to its North American production growth strategy.
A key aspect of the upgrade included risk mitigation measures previously absent at the operation. The company now maintains a spare 2,250 hp hoist motor for the primary No. 3 shaft, providing critical backup capacity for the first time in the mine’s history. This redundancy significantly reduces operational risk by ensuring production can continue even if the primary motor requires maintenance or experiences failure.
“Very importantly, we now have a spare 2,250 hp hoist motor for our primary No. 3 shaft for the first time, providing critical backup capacity and de-risking our mine plan,” Huet explained.
The improved infrastructure directly supports the company’s plans to scale long hole stoping operations at the Galena Complex. By eliminating bottlenecks in material movement, the mine can now support more extensive production activities while maintaining efficient workflows.
Industry analysts note that infrastructure limitations often constrain production growth at older mining operations, making these types of targeted upgrades particularly valuable for enhancing asset value. The silver-lead-zinc Galena Complex has operated since the early 1900s, making modernization projects essential for optimizing its remaining resources.
The early completion likely resulted in cost savings while minimizing production interruptions, demonstrating effective project management by the operational team. This execution track record becomes particularly significant as the company pursues additional capital-intensive projects across its asset portfolio.
Americas Gold & Silver plans to complete Phase 2 of the No. 3 Shaft upgrade project before the end of 2025, representing the final component of the comprehensive shaft improvement initiative. While specific technical details of Phase 2 have not been disclosed, completing both phases within the current fiscal year would position the company to realize the full production capacity benefits during 2026 operations.
“During the due diligence period prior to the new management team joining Americas, our team recognized the potential to substantially increase production from the Galena Complex and identified shaft upgrades as a critical element to our success,” Huet said. “This will enable us to move a significantly larger amount of tons from our operation while we continue to set up the mine for increased long hole stoping next year.”
Throughout the upgrade process, the company emphasized maintaining safety standards while executing the complex technical modifications. The management team’s focus on enhancing safety alongside efficiency demonstrates recognition that sustainable production growth requires robust safety protocols.
The North American precious metals sector has faced challenges in recent years, with producers working to optimize operations amid fluctuating metal prices. Infrastructure investments like those at the Galena Complex often indicate longer-term confidence in an asset’s viability, particularly in established mining districts like Idaho’s Silver Valley, where the Galena Complex is located.
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