Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR) (NYSE: EXK) operations at its Terronera silver-gold mine in Mexico remained suspended Wednesday as a local community blockade over infrastructure, services and financial support entered its second week.
The Canadian miner said an ejido community — a rural group that holds communal land used for agriculture — forced the company to halt operations at the Jalisco state mine on Aug. 12. Endeavour described the blockade as illegal, though it said the protest has remained peaceful, orderly and respectful.
Residents are demanding improved road maintenance, support for medical and communications services, greater control and access to the water supply and more financial assistance, according to Endeavour.
The dispute threatens to disrupt the ramp-up of Terronera less than a year after it reached commercial production, adding uncertainty at a new operation that recorded the lowest cash costs among Endeavour’s mines during the second quarter.
Ramp-up disrupted
Endeavour is keeping a small team at Terronera to maintain security protocols, while the site remains accessible for maintenance work. The company said it continues to negotiate with ejido leaders in an effort to resolve the dispute and resume operations as soon as possible.
The miner has warned that it could take legal action and would use all available remedies if the blockade continues.
Terronera reached commercial production on Oct. 1, 2025. The mine processed 175,729 tonnes and produced 582,043 payable oz. silver during the second quarter of 2026 at a cash cost of $5.07 per oz., according to Endeavour’s second quarter report.
The company had planned to ramp up the mining complex during the third quarter. Its liquefied natural gas plant began commissioning in June as part of that process, before the blockade interrupted operations.
The duration of the shutdown now depends on whether Endeavour and the community can resolve demands involving local infrastructure and services. The company has not provided a timeline for restarting production.
Endeavour has three operating mines in Mexico and Peru and a portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile and the US.
