Yamana plans to use a team of geologists and data scientists from Canadian machine learning specialists GoldSpot, after the company helped it with successes at its El Peñón mine.

GoldSpot said it will examine its entire database at the site to look for previously unrecognised data trends to identify areas of potential mineralisation. It will also analyse exploration data from Yamana's Cerro Moro mine and produce 2D and 3D targets for the exploration program.

The AI firm said it will also reprocess satellite images and other relevant layers which will help interpretations and mineralisation models.

"This new contract with Yamana for the Cerro Moro mine validates our work thus far and the cutting-edge products we deliver to our clients. Yamana has been an incredible supporter of GoldSpot and we are proud to be a part of their digital transformation," said Denis Laviolette, executive chairman and president of GoldSpot.

Positive infill drilling and mine design optimisation at El Peñón's saw mineral reserves both replace 2019 depletion and further increase these by 15% and 21% for gold and silver. Measured and indicated mineral resources increased by 66% while silver increased by 70% compared to the prior year, due to the positive exploration results from numerous secondary vein structures in the east mine.

Targets there, including the targets generated through AI analyses, are defined by the favorable lithological package, high white mica crystallinity and anomalous geochemical and geophysical signatures, said Yamana.